A "double overlap" suture technique for the proximal attachment of a composite graft to the aortic annulus

Repair of an aortic root aneurysm using a composite graft is sometimes complicated by proximal suture line bleeding, which may be very difficult to control. We adopted a previously described technique of "double overlap" sutures on the annulus and the prosthetic cuff, which has virtually eliminated this complication.     

Healing of experimental colonic anastomoses: IV. Effect of suture technique on collagen metabolism in the colonic wall

A previous study showed that after left colon resection an early and marked reduction of collagen concentration occurred not only in the anastomotic region but also proximally in the colon. This reaction was influenced by the suture technique used. In the present study collagen turnover in different segments of the colon was studied using ³H-proline as a precursor. There was an increased synthesis of collagen in all colonic segments at an early stage after operation, indicating that the entire colon reacted to the trauma of resection and anastomosis. The changes were asymmetrical in relation to the anastomotic line, with a higher rate of both lysis and synthesis of collagen proximal to the anastomotic line. During the first days after operation lysis dominated over synthesis.It was found that the suture technique influenced the rate of collagen turnover. Continuous suture led to more marked disturbance of the balance between lysis and synthesis and to retarded restoration of collagen concentration. Colonic dilatation and fecal stagnation proximal to the anastomosis were observed in some animals with continuous suture. This condition was associated with an enhanced rate of collagen turnover and a greater breakdown of collagen in the colonic wall than in animals with uncomplicated healing. This may be the cause of the higher frequency of anastomotic complications after continuous suture observed in this and previous studies.     

Modified Cabrol's Technique for Composite Replacement of the Aortic Valve and Ascending Aorta

A bstract Composite replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve with coronary reimplantation can be complicated by intraoperative hemorrhage from the coronary ostial anastomoses and proximal aortic suture line. Exposure and repair of these suture lines may be quite difficult after the termination of bypass in the intact aortic root. Cabrol originally described connecting the coronary ostia by separate Dacron graft, which was then anastomosed side-to-side to the aortic conduit, and the entire repair wrapped in the aneurysm wall to control bleeding. This article describes a modification of Cabrol's technique in which coronary ostial buttons are mobilized and the entire aortic wall resected. This procedure has been used in five patients with varied pathology, with no perioperative deaths and one minor intraoperative neurological event. The greater ease of operation and improved hemostasis afforded by the technique described in this article warrant its consideration in patients requiring aortic root replacement, and may prove particularly helpful in complex cases and reoperations.     

Technical Considerations Using a Composite Graft for Aortic Root Replacement

We performed modified aortic root replacement using a composite graft in seven patients over a 7-year-period. Six patients underwent emergency surgery for acute aortic dissection and one patient underwent elective surgery for an aortic aneurysm. To make the composite graft, we chose an artificial valve that was 1mm larger than the graft, and when performing the proximal anastomosis, we sutured only the graft edge using the horizontal mattress suture technique, applying an additional running suture for reinforcement. The button technique was routinely used for coronary reattachment. To assess hemostasis of the aortic proximal and coronary suture line, cardioplegia was injected via the left atrial vent, which enabled us to confirm hemostasis before performing the distal anastomosis. Blood loss and the need for blood transfusion were minimized by this modified technique. None of the six survivors has required reoperation during 7-year period. Our technique of aortic root replacement based on a composite graft with some operative modifications seems to be safe and reliable, resulting in a satisfactory outcome.     

Anastomosis of the anterior temporal artery to a secondary trunk of the middle cerebral artery for treatment of a giant M1 segment aneurysm. Case report.

The clinical course, operative technique, and angiographic outcome are reported for a patient with a giant intracranial aneurysm of the proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) who presented with symptoms of ischemia. Treatment of the aneurysm required bypassing the involved MCA bifurcation, but the patient lacked a suitable donor superficial temporal artery. The involved arterial segment was therefore bypassed with a side-to-side anastomosis of the anterior temporal artery to one of the secondary trunks of the MCA. This bypass eliminated the need to harvest a vein graft and re-established flow using in situ intracranial vessels of similar diameter, minimal arterial dissection, and only one suture line.     

Ventricular catheter tack-down suture: technical note

Tubing migration accounts for a significant number of shunt complications. In an attempt to reduce the likelihood of disconnection and tubing migration, we have developed a technique to rigidly fix the proximal catheter to the skull. The method involves the placement of a small twist drill hole adjacent to the catheter burr hole through which a suture is passed. The suture is then used to rigidly bind the proximal shunt tubing and valve to the skull. This approach provides an efficient and effective means for reducing complications related to shunt tubing migration.     

Modified Koyanagi's procedure for proximal hypospadias: Our experience

Koyanagi described an elegant technique for one‐stage proximal hypospadias repair. It is particularly suited for the most severe forms of hypospadias. A modified Koyanagi technique was used to repair the hypospadias in 14 children, aged 3–9 years. One child developed breakdown of the suture line, three other children developed small urethrocutaneous fistula needing closure and one child had post‐operative meatal stenosis. Despite the high rate of complications, modified Koyanagi's procedure is a good procedure of choice for severe/proximal hypospadias.     

Implantation of the distal aorta: A technique for preservation of pelvic blood flow in aortofemoral reconstruction

We report our initial experience with a previously undescribed variation of aortofemoral bypass. This technique is an alternative to end-to-side aortic anastomosis for preservation of pelvic blood flow. It involves an end-to-end proximal aortic anastomosis with implantation of the distal aorta into the posterior wall of the bifurcation graft. This approach has been used selectively for nine patients. Seven patients operated on using this technique had bilateral external iliac artery disease preventing retrograde perfusion of the pelvis. We used this procedure in two other young patients to preserve large inferior mesenteric and distal aortic lumbar vessels proximal to common iliac artery occlusions. Mean follow-up has been 20 months. There have been no deaths and no major complications. This technique provides the hemodynamic benefit of a proximal end-to-end aortic anastomosis while maintaining patency of the distal aorta and its branches. Additional technical advantages may include better suture line protection from the duodenum and a decreased potential for graft limb kinking. These factors may ultimately result in superior long- term graft patency.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, New York, New York, June 17, 1989.     

Double mattress suture lines for valve‐sparing aortic root replacement

Valve sparing aortic root replacement remains a complex procedure despite various improvements that have been made to this operation. Specifically, a hemostatic proximal anastomosis is one of the most important factors for successful completion of the operation without complication. Here we describe a double mattress suture line technique, which facilitates a secure and hemostatic proximal suture line.     

Prevention of aortic anastomotic hemorrhage. A simplified intraoperative testing technique.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative bleeding in aortic root aneurysms had represented a challenge. METHODS: Intraoperative testing of the annular or subannular aortic anastomosis, during procedures involving replacement of the aortic root, with either synthetic tube graft, a composite graft or an allograft is described. By reversing the flow of the LV vent and delivering cardioplegia into the left ventricle and thereby pressurizing the left ventricle and its outflow, this technique enables the surgeon to simulate the volume loaded heart, prior to completion of the distal anastomosis. A systematic assessment of the proximal suture line can then be undertaken. Portions of the proximal suture line, particularly the posterior aspect, are obscured if the inspection takes place after completion of both aortic anastomoses, the coronary attachments, as well as from the presence of the main pulmonary artery and by the distended aorta itself. RESULTS: The use of this method in 34 patients is described without untoward events related to this technique. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of this technique are a rapid and safe assessment of the integrity of the proximal suture line bed.     

"Annuloplasty" of the proximal coronary bypass anastomosis

A technique is described to reduce the size of the aortotomy after constructing the proximal coronary bypass anastomosis. It is used to avoid suture line hemorrhage and distortion of the proximal vein graft.     

Infrarenal rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm,previously repaired using an endoaneurysmorrhaphy technique

Unusual as well as well-known complications can occur after aortic reconstruction. In an effort to heighten awareness of these possibilities, a case is presented of a 71-year-old male who was brought to the emergency department with severe back pain of 2 days duration and hypotension. He had undergone repair of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm 6 years earlier. An emergency computed tomography scan demonstrated a 10-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm extending from just above the celiac axis, through the aortic bifurcation, with retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal hematoma. He was found at operation to have extension of his aneurysmal disease proximally, with complete separation of the proximal suture line, and rupture of the distal aortic wall. Since the aneurysm had been closed around the graft at the time of the original operation, his aneurysm had essentially been restored, and the diseased wall was again exposed to the tensile stresses from the pulsatile column of blood. Emergency repair was successful, despite postoperative complications including myocardial infarction, and later rupture of an iliac artery aneurysm. Patients presenting with signs and symptoms consistent with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm after previous repair should be addressed aggressively with computed tomography if it is immediately available and the diagnosis is in doubt. The patient should then undergo an immediate operation. Such recurrence, although rare, must always be considered a possibility. Similar scenarios may be encountered secondary to endoleaks occurring after endoluminal aortic repairs.     

Fate of coronary ostial anastomoses after the modified Bentall procedure

BACKGROUND: Introduction of the modified Bentall procedure with the button technique has reduced but not eliminated anastomotic complications in patients receiving a composite aortic conduit. Particularly the true incidence of coronary ostial complications such as stenosis, kinking or pseudoaneurysm formation needs to be assessed. METHODS: We reviewed 71 patients receiving a composite aortic conduit from November 1993 to November 1999 for chronic aneurysms (n = 51) or aortic dissection (n = 20), 12 of whom had Marfan syndrome. Patients were divided into two groups according to variations in the surgical technique. In group 1 (30 patients; 42%) the classic modified Bentall operation with the button technique was employed whereas in group 2 (41 patients; 58%) some technical modifications were added mainly consisting of a reinforcement suture joining the cut edge of the aortic wall and the prosthetic sewing ring and suture of the coronary buttons with an "endo-button" technique. To detect potential procedure-related complications particularly at the coronary ostia anastomoses follow-up included transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography every 6 months and computerized tomographic angiography at 12 months or whenever indicated; in 20 patients a magnetic resonance imaging angiography and standard aortography with selective coronary angiography were also added. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 49 +/- 19 months anastomotic complications occurred in 4 patients (6%): in 2 a pseudoaneurysm developed at the distal aortic suture line and in 1 a pseudoaneurysm developed at the right coronary ostium after repair of acute aortic dissection; in 1 Marfan patient an aneurysm of the left coronary ostium developed. Such complications were unrelated to the two surgical techniques used in this series for reimplantaion of the coronary ostia. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Bentall operation is associated with an extremely low incidence of anastomotic complications particularly at the coronary ostia. More extensive use of new imaging techniques is desirable to assess the true incidence of such complications in patients receiving a composite aortic conduit.     

Delayed rupture of an internal iliac artery aneurysm following proximal ligation for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

This is a report of a patient presenting with a contained rupture of an internal iliac aneurysm following proximal ligation after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair three years earlier. The patient presented with a large pelvic mass with symptoms of urgency, frequency, dysuria, tenesmus and fevers associated with anemia. Following evacuation of the aneurysm and direct suture ligation of the distal branches of the internal iliac artery, the patient's aortic graft was covered with omentum which also filled the pelvic cavity. The importance of proximal and distal control of aneurysms and/or the importance of complete luminal control of internal iliac artery aneurysms is emphasized by this case.     

Can staple-line reinforcement eliminate the major early postoperative complications after sleeve gastrectomy?

BackgroundStaple line reinforcement (SLR) is widely used to reduce major complications such as bleeding and leak after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). The present study aims to compare the running suture of SLR with a hybrid method by purse string suture of His angle, continuous inverted suture of proximal staple line and oversewing of distal staple line with omental coverage.MethodsThis single center retrospective study included 914 patients underwent SG. Their surgical videos were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the SLR methods, including hybrid suture and running suture. The postoperative major complications, including bleeding, leak and obstruction, were evaluated.ResultsAmong 914 patients, 384 had hybrid suture while 530 had running suture of SLR. The overall incidence of staple line bleeding and disruption was 39.2% and 4.9% after stomach transection. Hybrid suture exhibited slightly shorter SLR suture time, and required less extra suture for the hemostasis of suture site bleeding after staple line reinforcement compared to running suture. The incidence of postoperative bleeding was significantly lower after hybrid suture than after running suture (0 vs 1.3%, P = 0.02). Two patients in running suture group were complicated with postoperative leak. There was no postoperative obstruction within all patients. 1-year excessive weight loss was similar between two groups.ConclusionDespite surgical complexity, hybrid suture seemed to be able to decrease the incidence of postoperative bleeding compared to running suture. However, its role on leak and obstruction requires further clinical validation.     

Novel technique for reimplantation of intercostal arteries using tailored patch graft

We developed a simple and secure technique for reimplantation of the intercostal arteries (ICAs) using a patch graft during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair. With our procedure, a sidearm branch with its base is tailored from a 24 mm one-branch Dacron graft, and then sutured as a patch graft to the trimmed wall of the descending aorta to cover the ICA orifices between Th9 and Th12. The proximal end of the patch graft is then anastomosed to the main tube graft, while the graft is perfused. With this technique, the entire suture lines are clearly visible and hemostasis is secured without difficulty. We used this technique in 6 patients, in whom 2.3+/-0.8 pairs of ICAs were reimplanted. The time required for reimplantation of the ICAs was 14+/-6 min and none of 6 patients developed paraplegia. Our results indicate that this novel technique is a simple method to obtain secure hemostasis under direct vision, which may contribute to reduce the risk of paraplegia during thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair.     

Laser-assisted end-to-side anastomosis

The milliwatt CO2 laser was used to anastomose rat carotid arteries in an end-to-side fashion, and this technique was compared to the standard suture technique. Vessels were studied at two to six weeks. All anastomosis were patient and overall, there was a 78.6 percent rate of aneurysm formation in the laser cohort, compared with 7.1 percent with suture (p less than 0.001 Fisher exact). Vessels and aneurysm histology were similar to those previously reported for the end-to-end technique.     

Axillofemoral Bypass in the Management of Infected Aortic Bifurcation “Dacron” Graft

Infection is probably the most serious of all the complications that follow reconstructive arterial surgery, particularly when a plastic prosthesis has been used. Not only may a successful operative procedure be jeopardized by thrombosis of the graft, but the life of the patient is severely threatened by septic?mia and massive h?morrhage from infected suture lines. We have been unable to find any reference to this particular problem in the Australian literature, and for this reason we report in this paper the managment of an infected aortic bifurcation graft in which both the proximal and distal suture line had undergone disruption.     

Total arch replacement using a new sheathless open stent-grafting technique

Total arch replacement for extended distal arch aneurysm has been known to have a poor outcome because of a limited view on the distal side. An open stent-grafting technique has been employed in many institutions, but several complications have been reported. Specifically, embolism of the distal artery from aneurysm debris and injury to the aortic wall are serious complications. Therefore, we have developed and tested a new sheathless stent-grafting system. We use a small-sized sheath (12 Fr) as an inner cylinder and a stainless-steel Z-shaped stent (Gianturco:William Cook Europe A/S) in the distal part of the graft. This system is deployed by releasing 3-0 polypropylene suture after inserting the full-length graft. The major advantages of this system, compared with other devices, include flexibility, less invasiveness to the aortic wall and low potential for graft migration. This new system may be feasible and clinically effective in the surgical treatment of extended distal arch aneurysm.