Novel suture technique for hemostatic aortic anastomosis: backstitch.

Postoperative anastomotic suture line complications, such as hemorrhage and pseudoaneurysm, are often encountered in thoracic aortic surgery. To minimize these complications different anastomotic techniques have been developed. We hereby describe a new distal anastomotic technique, which involves positioning the graft inside the aorta at the distal end, reinforcing the suture line with an externally placed Teflon felt strip, and finishing the anastomosis with a circumferential and continued suture technique called "backstitch."