[Aneurysm of the ascending aorta and aortic insuffiency].

Basing themselves on 24 cases of aneurysm of the ascending aorta with gross aortic incompetence, the authors give an account of their personal experience of this condition. They emphasise: -- the problems of aetiology posed by this annular dilation of the aorta with its associated elastic tissue dystrophy which is seldom apparent except at histological examination of the aortic wall at percuaneous biopsy; --the operative problems which confront the surgeon, especially because the orifices of the coronary vessels are in the very centre of the aneurysm. The detail their modest surgical experience, and emphasise the advantages of using Bentall's operation systematically; it seems that this is likely to be the operation of choice in the future.