Reinforcement of suture lines with aortic eversion in aortic replacement

In this study, we describe the technique of eversion of the native aortic tissue to prevent suture line complications, and report on our results with this technique.

A total of 42 patients who were operated on due to aortic aneurysm were retrospectively assessed. In all patients, an aortic segment of approximately 2 cm, which was left both distally and proximally, was everted to form a double-layer lumen and the grafts were anastomosed. Postoperative outcomes and long-term follow-up results were assessed.

Aortic root replacement was done in 14 cases and eight subjects underwent concurrent coronary artery bypass surgery. Postoperatively, the average volume of the drainage was 375 ± 75 ml, and there were no re-operations. Twenty-seven patients required blood transfusion.

Reinforcement of the anastomosis line via eversion of the native aortic tissue reduced peri-operative blood loss and pseudo-aneurysm and infection, with the advantage of using viable tissue.