Three Cases of Graft Replacement of Distal Arch Aneurysm after Open-Stent Graft Technique due to Stent Migration and Endoleak

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 403 - 407
• Main Authors: Masaki, Naoki, Fukasawa, Manabu, Toyama, Shuji, Kawahara, Yu, Inage, Yuichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society for Cardiovascular Surgery 15.09.2013
• Subjects: endoleak; open stent; stent migration; TEVAR
• ISSN: 0285-1474; 1883-4108
• DOI: 10.4326/jjcvs.42.403

Exposure of the surgical field and bleeding control are main problems of distal anastomosis during an operation for distal arch aneurysms. The open-stent technique and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are useful techniques for the resolution of these problems. Recently, TEVAR has progressively expanded in the treatment of various complex thoracic aortic diseases. However, complications such as endoleaks and graft migrations have still remained an issue. Although some patients who have late distal endoleaks can be almost treated successfully with additional TEVAR, some of them cannot. We report 3 cases of graft replacement of descending aorta after open-stent technique due to stent migrations and endoleaks. All of them were previously performed by total arch replacement with open-stent technique for distal aortic arch aneurysms. The follow-up CT after the first operation revealed graft migrations and endoleaks. The open surgical repairs through left lateral thoracotomy were performed, followed by graft replacements. The stent grafts were easily clamped after the incision of the aneurysm. In 2 cases, grafts were directly anastomosed to the descending aorta after the removal of the stent. In 1 case, graft was extended with new graft and then anastomosed to the descending aorta. These procedures were technically successful ; there were no trouble to exfoliate aorta, to perform anastomosis and hemostasis, and neither patient developed major complications. These results indicate that open surgical repair of descending aorta could be one of the safety options for the treatment of endoleaks and stent migrations of thoracic aortic stent graft in the era of increasing endovascular therapy.