Resection of Kommerell's diverticulum and left subclavian artery transfer for recurrent symptoms after vascular ring division.

OBJECTIVES: A Kommerell's diverticulum in patients with a right aortic arch may become aneurysmal and be an independent cause of tracheoesophageal compression, even after ligation and division of a left ligamentum. We review the indications for and results of Kommerell's diverticulum resection and left subclavian artery transfer in children with a right aortic arch who previously underwent vascular ring (ligamentum) division. METHODS: From 1998 through 2001, eight children have been referred with recurrent respiratory symptoms (n=8) and/or recurrent dysphagia (n=4) after vascular ring division. Each child had a right aortic arch with a left ligamentum and had undergone division of the ligamentum elsewhere. All had a Kommerell's diverticulum that was not addressed at the initial operation. All patients had a repeat left thoracotomy with resection of the diverticulum. Five patients had division and reimplantation of the left subclavian artery into the left carotid artery to relieve the sling-like effect of the retroesophageal left subclavian artery on the right aortic arch. One other patient had primary Kommerell's diverticulum resection and transfer of the left subclavian artery to the left carotid artery. RESULTS: The mean age at the initial operation was 1.7+/-0.9 years, and the mean age at reoperation was 8.0+/-3.7 years. In all patients postoperative bronchoscopy confirmed relief of the tracheal compression. There were no complications related to the subclavian artery transfer. Two patients developed postoperative chylothorax, one requiring thoracic duct ligation. The median hospital stay was 5 days. All patients had dramatic resolution of their preoperative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Kommerell's diverticulum is an important anatomic structure that can cause recurrent symptoms in patients with a right aortic arch after ligamentum division. In selected patients, reoperation with resection of the Kommerell's diverticulum and transfer of a retroesophageal left subclavian artery results in relief of symptoms. This technique has become our procedure of choice as a primary operation for children with a right aortic arch and a significant Kommerell's diverticulum.     

Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery Associated with a Kommerell's Diverticulum and a Left‐Sided Aortic Arch

Abstract Kommerell's diverticulum is most commonly associated with either an aberrant left subclavian artery from a right‐sided aortic arch or an aberrant right subclavian artery from a left‐sided aortic arch. We describe an exceedingly rare case of an aberrant left subclavian artery arising from a Kommerell's diverticulum in a patient with a left‐sided aortic arch, the “nonaberrant aberrant left subclavian artery.”(J Card Surg 2012;27:607‐608)     

Asymptomatic pseudo-aneurysm of the aortic arch in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery. A complication of Kommerell's diverticulum?

Kommerell's diverticulum is an aortic arch deformity associated with an aberrant subclavian artery. Symptoms related to compression of adjacent structures, dilatation of the aortic diverticulum or accelerated atherosclerosis leading to increased risks of dissection and rupture represent the indications for surgical treatment. Several surgical strategies have been used for the management of this congenital abnormality. We present the case of a 56-year-old male with a pseudo-aneurysm of a left aortic arch adjacent to a Kommerell's diverticulum at the orifice of a left subclavian artery. The patient also presented an aberrant right subclavian artery originating from the posterior wall of the ecstatic take-off of the left subclavian artery. Our surgical strategy was limited to the resection of the aneurysm without any manipulation of the aortic diverticulum and aberrant right subclavian artery, as the wall of both aorta adjacent to the saccular aneurysm and left subclavian artery was normal, the Kommerell's diverticulum was small and the patient was asymptomatic.     

Anomalous Origins of the right vertebral, subclavian, and common carotid arteries in a patient with a four-vessel aortic arch

Many anomalies of the aortic arch and great vessels are uncovered as serendipitous findings on imaging studies, in the anatomy laboratory, or at surgery. A 56-year-old man had an arch angiogram as part of an evaluation for cerebrovascular disease. A four-vessel left aortic arch was identified consisting of the right carotid, left carotid, right subclavian, and left subclavian arteries. The right common carotid gave rise to the right vertebral artery in the chest while the normally located left vertebral arose from the left subclavian artery. No aneurysm or aortic diverticulum was identified.     

Surgical repair for aortic dissection accompanying a right-sided aortic arch

Aortic anomaly in which a right-sided aortic arch associated with Kommerell's diverticulum and aberrant left subclavian artery is rare. The present report describes a patient with type-B aortic dissection accompanying aortic anomalies consisting of right-sided aortic arch and the left common carotid and left subclavian artery arising from Kommerell's diverticulum. As dissecting aortic aneurysm diameter increased rapidly, Single-stage surgical repair of extensive thoracic aorta was performed through median sternotomy and right posterolateral fifth intercostal thoracotomy, yielding favorable results. Our surgical procedures are discussed.     

Trends in vascular ring surgery

OBJECTIVE: We sought to review our experience with infants and children with anatomically complete vascular rings (ie, double aortic arch and right aortic arch with left ligamentum) and define perioperative trends in diagnostic imaging, operative techniques, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: From 1946 through 2003, 209 patients (113 with double aortic arch and 96 with right aortic arch) underwent surgical repair. Mean and median ages at the time of the operation were as follows: double aortic arch, 1.4 +/- 2.4 years and 0.75 years, respectively; right aortic arch, 2.7 +/- 3.9 years and 0.9 years, respectively. Fourteen (14.6%) patients with right aortic arch had an associated Kommerell diverticulum. Cardiac diagnoses were present in 26 (12.4%) of 209 patients. RESULTS: There has been no operative mortality since 1959. In the past 30 years, mean hospital stay decreased from 8 to 3 days. Primary means of diagnosis has shifted from barium swallow and angiography to computed tomographic scanning or magnetic resonance imaging. In the past 10 years, 73% of patients had preoperative or intraoperative bronchoscopy. The technique of operation has shifted to a muscle-sparing left thoracotomy without routine chest drainage. In 7 recent patients with right aortic arch and a Kommerell diverticulum, the diverticulum was resected, and the left subclavian artery was transferred to the left carotid artery as a primary procedure. CONCLUSIONS: At our institution, computed tomographic scanning has replaced barium swallow as the diagnostic procedure of choice for vascular ring evaluation. We recommend both preoperative bronchoscopy and echocardiography. Use of a muscle-sparing thoracotomy without routine chest drainage has decreased mean hospital stay. For patients with a right aortic arch and associated Kommerell diverticulum, we recommend diverticulum resection with left subclavian artery transfer to the left carotid artery.     

Surgical treatment of vascular ring including right cervical aortic arch

Cervical aortic arch is a developmental entity consisting of persistence of the right or left third branchial arch and regression of the fourth branchial arches. In most cases, the aorta is redundant and crosses behind the esophagus to the opposite side. In the presence of an aberrant subclavian artery contralateral to the side of the aortic arch and a ligamentum arteriosum, a vascular ring is formed around the trachea and esophagus. Two young patients with right-sided cervical aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery, and ligamentum arteriosum presented with dysphagia and exertional dyspnea. In one patient, through a left thoracotomy, the ligamentum arteriosum was divided, and the trachea and esophagus were dissected thoroughly above and below the level of the ring. In addition, the aberrant left subclavian artery was divided at its origin from a large diverticulum and implanted into the left common carotid artery; the aortic diverticulum was resected. In the other patient, who had associated 22q11 chromosomal deletion, in addition to left-sided compression of the trachea and esophagus, there was additional marked compression of the right anterolateral trachea by the redundant ascending aorta. Through a median sternotomy, the ligamentum arteriosum was divided, and the trachea and esophagus were widely mobilized; an additional aortopexy of the ascending aorta to the right of the sternum resulted in the absence of tracheal compression. The cases of the two reported patients illustrate the clinical variability of vascular ring, including a right cervical aortic arch and the consequently versatile surgical approach that is needed to successfully address this combination of vascular anomalies.     

Surgical repair of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum

Five cases of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum, with or without Kommerell's diverticulum, are presented. Either right or left thoracotomy with divesion of the aberrant retroesophageal left subclavian artery can be accomplished with good results. However, a right thoracotomy is recommended in the presence of a large Kommerell diverticulum because such a diverticulum should be excised. The development of a subclavian steal syndrome later in life may be prevented by reimplantation of the divided left subclavian artery into the aorta or the left common carotid artery.     

Repair of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left ligamentum arteriosum

A case of right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery arising from a Kommerell's diverticulum of the descending thoracic aorta with a left ligamentum arteriosum completing a vascular ring about the trachea and esophagus is presented. A posterolateral left thoracotomy alone is sufficient to provide an excellent exposure for the division of the ligamentum arteriosum and the resection of the Kommerell's diverticulum. Furthermore, the development of a subclavian steal syndrome is prevented by the reimplantation of the divided left subclavian artery into the left common carotid artery through this same incision.     

Primary complete repair of partial double aortic arch and Kommerell diverticulum

Tracheal and esophageal stenosis caused by double aortic arch and Kommerell diverticulum is a rare but important pathologic entity in adult patients. Clinical symptoms are caused by esophageal or tracheal stenosis, or both. The present article describes a surgical method of complete repair with division of the rudimentary left arch, resection of the diverticulum, and transposition of the left subclavian artery. This method was transferred from pediatric patients and led to excellent clinical results in 2 consecutive adult patients compared with the previous technique with division of the left arch alone.     

婴幼儿完全性血管环的早期外科治疗

目的 评价完全性血管环的早期外科治疗效果.方法 1999年3月至2006年6月手术治疗完全性血管环病儿16例,其中男7例,女9例.3月龄～3.2岁,平均(2.2±1.7)岁.术前均行超声心动图(ECHO)和心导管及心血管造影检查.诊断包括双主动脉弓6例;右位主动脉弓伴左侧韧带和左锁骨下动脉起源于降主动脉10例.术前麻醉诱导后和术毕行支气管镜检查比较.双主动脉弓通过切开次弓后部进入降主动脉的位置,将环离断;右位主动脉弓伴左侧韧带者,双重结扎离断动脉韧带或者离断后缝合两残端,迷走左锁骨下动脉起源于降主动脉处会有Kommerell憩室予切除,切下左锁骨下动脉转移至左颈总动脉作端侧吻合.结果 除1例病儿因术后2个月不能脱离呼吸机放弃治疗外,余病儿均生存.术后经支气管镜检查,受压迫的支气管腔均明显改善,7例病儿出现呼吸道并发症,术后监护时间延长,术后呼吸机辅助28～129 h,5例病儿由于肺血管阻力高,吸一氧化氮(NO)治疗1周后好转.随访3个月～2年,左锁骨下动脉移植至左颈总动脉者术后彩色超声检查显示血流通畅,左侧桡动脉搏动良好.结论 术前或术中支气管镜检查有助于确定狭窄的部位和程度,进一步明确气管软化或支气管软化的部位.早期完全性血管环手术治疗效果良好,尤其是迷走左锁骨下动脉在近降主动脉处横断后转移至左颈总动脉病例,远期随访满意.     

Extended aortic arch replacement through gull-wing approach to Kommerell's diverticulum and aneurysmal right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery

The patient was a 76-year-old man. He was referred to our hospital to treat Kommerell's diverticulum and aneurysmal right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery. We performed extended aortic arch replacement using gull-wing approach. He was discharged uneventfully without any complication. Gull-wing approach method has an advantage of wide surgical field and may be useful for extensive thoracic aortic disease.     

Surgical treatment of an aneurysm in the right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery

A saccular aneurysm in the right-sided aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery is an uncommon disease, and surgical treatment is complicated. Three patients with Edwards type III-B right aortic arch and enlargement of the Kommerell's diverticulum underwent operations. Right thoracotomy was the preferred approach for this lesion and partial cardiopulmonary bypass is a safe and simple procedure when the aortic arch has mild atherosclerosis.     

Repair of Kommerell's diverticulum with aberrant left subclavian artery in an elderly patient with right aortic arch and dysphagia lusoria

A 60-year-old femalepresented with progressive dysphagia and was found to have a right-sided aortic arch with external posterior compression of the upper esophagus due to severe compression from a Kommerell's diverticulum with an aberrant left subclavian artery. This patient underwent division of the diverticulum with an aorto-subclavian graft implantation under femoro-femoral bypass and recovered uneventfully. A review of the literature and discussion of the surgical management is presented.     

Carotid artery stenting in a patient with right-sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery

A right-sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery is a rare anatomical variation. We report a case treated with carotid artery stenting (CAS) for a patient with a right-sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery. A 72-year-old man presented right hemiparesis due to acute brain infarction. Neck CT angiography showed 70% stenosis in the left internal carotid artery (ICA). We diagnosed acute brain infarction as artery-to-artery embolism due to ICA stenosis and decided to perform carotid artery stenting (CAS) for symptomatic ICA stenosis. CT angiography to evaluate an access route to the lesion incidentally showed the right-sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery. An intraoperative aortogram showed a right-sided aortic arch. The guiding catheter was carefully introduced up to the left common carotid artery. CAS was performed with a proximal balloon and distal filter protection. The stenotic area was restored, and the patient was discharged without suffering recurrent attacks. Although a right-sided aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery is a very rare anatomical variation, it can be encountered in neuroendovascular treatment, and therefore knowledge of this anatomical variation is important.     

Simultaneous surgery for left lung cancer and the aneurysm of an aberrant left subclavian artery in a patient with right aortic arch

A 69-year-old man with right aortic arch was diagnosed as having left lung cancer (cT2aN1M0, cStage IIA) and an aneurysm of an aberrant left subclavian artery. The aneurysm measured 36 mm in diameter and was located 1 cm peripheral from the origin in the area known as "Kommerell's diverticulu Left carotid artery-to-left subclavian artery bypass graft was placed through a left supraclavicular incision prior to thoracotomy. This bypass graft effectively prevented neurological and ischemic complications of the brain and left upper extremity while we safely and successfully performed resection of the aneurysm along with radical surgery for left lung cancer through left thoracotomy. There have been only 10 case reports, including the present case, that have described surgical resection of lung cancer in a patient with right aortic arch. In addition, this is the 1st report to describe simultaneous surgery for both left lung cancer and an aneurysm of an aberrant left subclavian artery in a patient with right aortic arch.     

Right-sided double aortic arch in an adult

A 27-year-old woman complained of a severe stridor caused by a right-sided double aortic arch with a right-sided descending thoracic aorta. A smaller left-sided aortic arch had an atretic segment located between the left common carotid artery and an aortic diverticulum from which the left subclavian artery originated. Through a left fourth thoracotomy, the atretic segment, which caused a compression of the trachea and esophagus, was ligated and divided. The ligamentum arteriosum could not be identified on that side. After the operation she was completely relieved of her symptoms.     

Right aortic arch with isolation of the left subclavian artery. A case report

A 58 year old man was admitted to evaluate his swallowing disturbance. Preoperative aortogram demonstrated right aortic arch with isolation of left subclavian artery. Operative findings revealed the absent blood flow through the proximal portion of left subclavian artery which connected to the left pulmonary artery. Abnormal connection was divided and Kommerell's diverticulum was mobilized from the esophagus. His clinical symptom was slightly reduced postoperatively.