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Background The aim of the study was to provide a literature review of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes for penetrating ulcer of the aorta. Methods Relevant articles in the Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases reporting the results of endovascular repair for penetrating ulcers of the thoracic aorta were systematically searched and reviewed. Results Thirty-one articles were integrated after a literature review, and 310 patients treated by TEVAR for penetrating ulcers of the aorta were identified. In this cohort, most patients were male (65.8%), had a history of smoking (60.4%), and systemic hypertension (90%). Only 9% were asymptomatic at initial presentation. Most cases (76%) occurred among patients with a single ulcer, located in the descending thoracic aorta (81%), with associated intramural hematoma in 45%. The technical success of TEVAR was 98.3%. Surgical conversion during the postoperative period with stent-graft explantation was required in 1 patient. The overall 30-day mortality was 4.8% (15 of 310). The most frequent complications were endoleaks (8%, 25 of 310) and access problems (16.1%, 26 of 161). After a mean follow-up of 17.7 months (range, 1 to 52), the all-cause mortality was 22.9% (71 of 310), and the aortic-related mortality was 4.1% (13 of 310). During follow-up, new endoleak and ulcer recurrence were observed in 5.4% (n = 15 of 274) and 4.5% (n = 5 of 110), respectively, requiring a new aortic endovascular procedure in 50% (n = 10). Conclusions Thoracic endovascular aortic repair of penetrating ulcer has excellent short-term and midterms results. The endovascular approach should be the first line management for aortic ulcer when intervention is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The perioperative outcomes of the endovascular approach to aortobronchial fistula have been favorable. However, it is uncertain whether thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) alone provides a complete and durable cure for an aortobronchial fistula. TEVAR does nothing to address the issue of the defect in the respiratory tract, leaving the patient at risk of aortobronchial fistula recurrence and/or stent graft infection. The authors believe that the bronchial defect should be addressed. =section-title= Methods Over the last 10 years, 5 patients were treated for an aortobronchial fistula using a combined endovascular and surgical approach (primary treatment in 3 patients and secondary after TEVAR in 2 patients). All the patients underwent emergency stent graft placement and concomitant (n = 1) or staged (n = 4) open repair including pulmonary resection with coverage of the stent graft using muscle or pleural flaps. All patients received a 6-week course of broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics followed by lifelong oral antibiotics. Results All patients survived the surgical procedure. After a mean follow-up of 23.2 months, 4 patients are asymptomatic and postprocedure computed tomography scans were unremarkable. One patient treated for an aortobronchial fistula after TEVAR was readmitted 4 months after surgical conversion. Stent graft explantation and silver-coated tube graft replacement of the descending thoracic aorta were performed for severe mediastinitis with associated thoracic stent graft infection. The postoperative course of this patient was uneventful. Conclusions Emergency TEVAR for an aortobronchial fistula is an appealing strategy for this devastating complication. However, to achieve a lasting result, direct contact between the stent graft and the pulmonary tissue should be avoided to prevent further erosive damage. Concomitant or staged repair should entail primary repair or resection and anastomosis of the bronchus and/or pulmonary resection with coverage of the stent graft using muscle or pleural flaps combined with broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic therapy. Long-term surveillance and continued investigation are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reconstruction of large full-thickness chest wall defects after resection of T3/T4 non-small cell lung carcinomas or primary chest wall tumors presents a technical challenge for thoracic surgeons and plays a central role in determining postoperative morbidity. The objective is to evaluate our results in chest wall reconstruction using a combination of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh and titanium plates. Methods: Since 2006, 19 patients underwent reconstruction for wide chest wall defects using a combination of ePTFE mesh and titanium plates. The chest wall reconstruction was achieved by using a layer of 2-mm thickness ePTFE shaped to match the chest wall defect and sewed under maximum tension. The ePTFE is placed close to the lung and fixed onto the bony framework and onto the titanium plate, which is inserted on the ribs. Results: Seventeen patients underwent a complete R0 resection with the removal of 3 to 9 ribs (mean, 4.8 ribs), including the sternum in 7 cases. Reconstruction required 1 to 4 horizontal titanium bars (mean, 1.7 bars). In 1 patient, a vertical titanium device was implanted for a large posterolateral defect. There were 2 cases of infection, which required explantation of the osteosynthesis system in 1 patient. One patient had partial skin necrosis that required prompt debridement. One patient had a major complication in the form of respiratory failure. Conclusions: Our experience and initial results show that titanium rib osteosynthesis in combination with Dualmesh can easily and safely be used in a one-stage procedure for major chest wall defects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a case of right heart failure after left pneumonectomy as a result of an isolated, contralateral partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. We successfully treated this with percutaneous atrioseptostomy. For unstable patients with postoperative acute heart failure from an undetected partial anomalous pulmonary venous return, this minimally invasive procedure represents a useful primary option while allowing secondary conventional surgery if required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We hypothesized that staged repair of extensive thoracic aneurysms might mitigate the incidence and severity of spinal ischemia by facilitating structural remodeling of the spinal cord vasculature. Staged hybrid repair (in two or three stages) was undertaken in 7 patients with extensive thoracic aortic aneurysms. The 30-day mortality and spinal ischemia rates were 0%. The conceptual basis of staging extensive aortic repairs is the maintenance of adequate flow to a sufficient number of spinal arteries and that spinal perfusion is preserved during the early postoperative period when the patient is most vulnerable to hypotension, by deliberately allowing interval distal type I endoleak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]