A case of graft replacement of the ascending aorta to the aortic arch and the partial descending aorta in a single stage for thrombosed aortic dissection (debakey type II + IIIB)

We report here a case of graft replacement of the ascending aorta to the aortic arch and the middle portion of the descending aorta in a single stage for thrombosed aortic dissection. The patient was a 53-year-old male who was transfered to our hospital with a diagnosis of thrombosed aortic dissection. Conservative therapy was continued but three weeks after the onset, chest enhanced CT scan and digital subtraction angiography revealed an opacified false lumen in the ascending aorta and a ulcer like projection in the middle portion of the descending aorta. He was therefore diagnosed as having redissection in DeBakey type II + IIIb thrombosed aortic dissec- tion. Graft replacement of the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, and a part of the descending aorta was performed in a single stage via median stenotomy with the aid of extracorporeal circulation and selective cerebral perfusion. Postoperative digital subtraction angiography showd satisfac- tory reconstruction of the thoracic aorta. The patient is still leading a normal life two years after the operation.