Use of an intraluminal double-ring vascular prosthesis in thoracic aorta reconstruction.

The authors present their initial experience with the use of the intraluminal double-ring prosthesis in the surgical treatment of thoracic aorta aneurysms. To date, they have performed this procedure in a total of 7 patients. Five had dissecting aneurysms of the ascending and descending aorta, one had a false aneurysm of the aortic arch, and one was operated on for a traumatic aneurysm of the descending aorta. Five patients recovered without any severe complications. Two patients died. Of these, one underwent surgery on an emergency basis for ruptured dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta while another died from intestinal gangrene due to occlusion of the upper mesenteric artery, caused by dissection. The benefits of the new technique of vascular reconstruction are discussed, and the potential for expanded indicational criteria is mentioned.