Preliminary and Intermediate-Term Results of the Novel Modification of Frozen Elephant Trunk: A Single-Center Study

Objectives: We evaluate the preliminary and intermediate-term results of Viet Duc modification of the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique. Methods: During December 2019 and May 2023, 47 patients underwent surgery using our modification of the FET at Viet Duc University Hospital. The mean age of the patients was 56.8 years (±9.4, range 31-72). In all, 34 (72.3%) of the patients were men. Results: There were 5 (10.6%) perioperative deaths. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, cross-clamping, circulatory arrest, and total operation were 165 (±49.1 range 94-330), 100 (±37, range 46-205), 32.6 (±8, range 20-58), and 366 (±60.6, range 270-540) minutes, respectively. In complications, tracheotomy, temporal hemodialysis, cerebral shock, and type 1A endoleak were noted in 3 (6.4%), 4 (8.5%), 4 (8.5%), and 3 (6.4%) patients, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 25.8 months (±11.7, range 3-42). One case was dead in the follow-up period. Three patients (6.3%) had successful reoperation for type 1A endoleak, and 4 patients (8.5%) underwent a second intervention. One (2.1%) patient had a second intervention and an infrarenal abdominal aortic replacement. Conclusions: Our modification of the FET technique was feasible, effective, and safe, with good early and intermediate-term outcomes.