[Aortic uncrossing for compressive circumflex aorta. 3 cases]

Abstract

Three children with circumflex aorta developed signs of tracheobronchial compression. Dividing the arterial ligament was ineffective. At endoscopy, the right side of the trachea and the tracheal bifurcation were found to be severely obstructed by the aorta itself. The aortic arch was approached through a median sternotomy and freed from mediastinal adhesions. The aorta was divided below the point of origin of the right carotid artery, then uncrossed and reimplanted on the left surface of the ascending aortic segment. Cerebral protection was ensured by deep hypothermia and cardiopulmonary bypass. Post-operative angiography showed good reconstruction of the aortic arch.