The Bologna experience with the Thoraflex™ hybrid frozen elephant trunk device

We present our initial experience with the frozen elephant trunk using a Thoraflex™ hybrid device for the treatment of the complex thoracic aorta lesions.

Between March 2013 and March 2014, ten patients underwent thoracic aorta surgery using the frozen elephant trunk approach with the Thoraflex hybrid device. Indications for surgery were: residual type A chronic dissection (eight patients), degenerative aneurysm (one patient) and type B chronic aortic dissection (one patient). Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion and moderate hypothermia were used in all cases.

In-hospital mortality was 0% and no patients presented with paraplegia, paraparesis or major neurological events. One patient experienced transient ischemic attack. Two patients underwent reoperation for bleeding. All postoperative angiography CT scans confirmed the desired results.

Our initial experience demonstrated excellent early results. The Thoraflex hybrid prosthesis with the four-branched arch graft increases the spectrum of techniques available for the surgeon in the treatment of complex diseases of the thoracic aorta.