Operative experiences with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

During a 27-year period, resection of 690 aneurysms of the descending thoracic and/or abdominal aorta were performed. Thirty (4.3%) were thoracoabdominal aneurysms. Although the series of thoracoabdominal aneurysms is small, there was continued improvement in protection of the abdominal viscera and spinal cord from ischemic injury. Operative survivors experienced good late (68% at 5 yrs.) survival. Each of the last 12 pts. in the series survived the operation and 9 are still alive. The surgical results justify a more aggressive stance regarding resection of the thoracoabdominal aneurysms.