Clinical profile of post-operative ductal aneurysm and usefulness of sternotomy and circulatory arrest for its repair

Abstract

Repair of postoperative ductal aneurysm through left thoracotomy is difficult due to extreme fragility of aneurysm and because of reoperative difficulties. The immediate and long-term outcome of the cases operated through sternotomy using total circulatory arrest with minimal dissection is good. Midline sternotomy limits approach to descending thoracic aorta that can be circumvented by using transverse sternotomy with semi-right-lateral positioning of the patient.