One-stage total thoracic aortic repair for mega-aorta using frozen elephant trunk technique

We report the case of a 71-year-old female with mega-aorta extending from the ascending aorta to the descending aorta, who was successfully treated with a one-stage total thoracic aortic repair by the frozen elephant trunk technique using a stent-graft. We used a home-made frozen elephant trunk with four giant-turco Z-stents on the distal side that was inserted into the downstream descending aorta via an aortic arch guiding pull-through wire. The stent-graft was distally positioned at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra after total arch replacement had been performed using a four-branch graft. The postoperative course was good, and there was no paraplegia or other complications. A postoperative computed tomography scan demonstrated complete thrombosis of the descending thoracic aneurysm without endoleak. In conclusion, the frozen elephant trunk was effective as a one-stage operation for mega-aorta. (c) 2011 Published by European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.