Frozen versus conventional elephant trunk technique: application in clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery

Background:

• Complex aortic arch disease involving proximal and distal segments presents significant treatment challenges.
• Conventional and endovascular techniques are employed in single or multiple stages to manage these conditions.
• The elephant trunk technique was an early approach, with the frozen elephant trunk technique being a recent evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and compare the conventional elephant trunk technique and the frozen elephant trunk technique.
• To analyze the advantages and drawbacks of both techniques from clinical and practical perspectives.
• To provide insights into managing complex aortic arch disease.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing surgical and endovascular techniques for aortic arch disease.
• Analysis of the conventional elephant trunk technique.
• Analysis of the frozen elephant trunk technique, including antegrade stent graft deployment.

Main Results:

• The frozen elephant trunk technique represents an evolution of the conventional elephant trunk technique.
• Both techniques aim to treat complex aortic arch disease with varying degrees of success and complexity.
• A detailed comparison of clinical and practical advantages and drawbacks is presented.

Conclusions:

• The frozen elephant trunk technique offers advancements in treating descending thoracic aorta conditions.
• Understanding the specific advantages and drawbacks of each technique is crucial for optimal patient management.
• Further evaluation is needed to fully elucidate the long-term outcomes and comparative efficacy.