Effectiveness of a new inflatable balloon device for gluing dissected layers in an experimental model of aortic dissection

OBJECTIVES: In the surgical treatment of acute aortic dissection, tissue glues are widely used to reinforce the adhesion between the dissected aortic layers. A new inflatable balloon device was developed to compress the dissected aortic wall during gluing to increase adhesion between the dissected layers. The present study used an ex vivo experimental animal model to test the hypothesis that this device is effective when gluing the true and false channels of dissected aortas. METHODS: In the ex vivo experimental model, aortic dissection was simulated surgically on 12 fresh bovine aorta samples. In six samples (group I), the inflatable balloon device was inserted into the aorta to reinforce and fuse the dissected layers during gluing. The other six fresh bovine aortic samples (group II) were compressed between the surgeon's fingers during gluing. Aortic samples were evaluated and compared macroscopically and histologically. RESULTS: In group I, adhesion between the dissected layers was easily achieved during gluing. All false cavities were perfectly closed, with no deleterious effects related to the device. In group II, the adhesion between the dissected layers was not complete and some false cavities remained patent. CONCLUSIONS: The inflatable balloon device can increase the adhesive effect of tissue glues via homogenous compression of the dissected aortic layers. In addition, the balloon can prevent distal embolization of the glue.