Two-stage repair of DeBakey type IIIb aneurysm, using total arch replacement

Background Open repair for chronic DeBakey type IIIb dissecting aortic aneurysm is an invasive procedure involving open proximal anastomosis under hypothermic cardiac arrest, with significant morbidity in high-risk patients. We adopted a two-stage repair strategy using total arch replacement with the elephant trunk technique, which enables aortic crossclamping and avoids open proximal anastomosis at the second-stage graft replacement through a left thoracotomy. Methods From January 2008 to October 2018, we performed DeBakey type IIIb dissecting aortic aneurysm repair in 76 cases, and compared the results of two-stage repair (group 1, 25 cases) and single-stage repair using graft replacement with open proximal anastomosis through a left thoracotomy (group 2, 31 cases). Results In group 1, the elephant trunk technique was successful in all cases. The second intervention included endovascular repair (13 cases) and graft replacement through a left thoracotomy (7 cases). Five cases were followed up conservatively because the false lumen was thrombosed after the elephant trunk technique. Aorta-related adverse events were seen in 5 cases in group 1 (1 re-dissection, 1 rupture, 2 stent-graft-induced new entries, 1 stent-graft migration) and 6 in group 2 (1 additional thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 1 rupture, 4 acute type A aortic dissections). There were no statistical differences between the two groups regarding aorta-related adverse events and death. The postoperative course was acceptable in both groups. Conclusions Single-stage repair with open proximal anastomosis is an option in patients not at high risk for invasive surgery, while two-stage repair is recommended for high-risk patients.