Single-clamp repair of aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta.

Ischemic injury of the spinal cord remains a serious threat during the surgical treatment of aneurysms of the descending and thoracoabdominal aorta. Time is the critical factor in preventing spinal cord injury. The author uses a single-clamp technique that is simple and limits distal dissection, heparin dosage, and cross-clamp time, thus reducing the risk of paraplegia.