[Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Treatment, complications and early results]

Over a four and a half year period ten patients operated upon for thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. One patient died, and another developed paraparesis. Review of the literature and the experience obtained by using an intraluminal aortic graft for the proximal anastomosis is presented. Reduction of aortic cross-clamping time is essential in reducing complications, of which paraparesis is the most common. The employment of an intraluminal prosthesis whenever possible seems advantageous in achieving this goal. Patients with thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms can be treated with an acceptably low mortality and morbidity.