Procedure

The Quick simple clamping technique for the repair of descending aortic aneurysm

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, University of Milan, Via Parea 4, 20138 Milan, Italy

^* Corresponding author: ^* Tel.: +39 02 58002321; fax: +39 02 58011194 E-mail: paolo.biglioli{at}unimi.it and paolo.biglioli{at}ccfm.it

The surgical treatment for thoracic and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms still remains a challenge for the surgeon, as it can be complicated by paraplegia. Several techniques were developed in order to decrease the risk of paraplegia. We describe a surgical variation of the ‘clamp and sew’ technique, named ‘Quick simple clamping’ technique, that we adopted starting in 1995. In our experience, it has allowed us to eliminate paraplegia. This technique was developed on the basis of anatomical, patho-physiological and fluid-dynamic studies which demonstrated that the anterior spinal artery (ASA) is not interrupted, the arteria radicularis magna is not a terminal artery and the sacrifice of intercostal arteries does not lead to an increasing risk of spinal cord ischemia.

Key Words: Descending thoracic aorta • Aortic aneurysm • Surgery • Paraplegia