Surgical management of aneurysms at the origin of an aberrant right subclavian artery.

An aneurysmal origin of an aberrant right subclavian artery should preferably be closed with a prosthetic patch inserted with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass with deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. Three patients were operated on: a transaortic approach was used in two and a transaneurysmal approach in one. This technique allows a single-stage surgical correction of this rare anomaly through a median sternotomy and obviates the need for hazardous and difficult side clamping of the aorta.