The technique of balloon occlusion-assisted repair of a pseudoaneurysm originated from the side branch of an ascending aortic prosthetic graft via mini-thoracotomy.

A 69-year-old woman underwent aortic root reimplantation and graft replacement of the ascending aorta 12 years ago. A pseudoaneurysm (2.5 cm × 3 cm) arising from the side branch of the ascending aortic prosthetic graft was incidentally detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. After endovascular balloon occlusion of the side branch through the left subclavian artery, the side branch was exposed via right mini-thoracotomy in the third intercostal space. After circumferential dissection, the side branch was ligated uneventfully. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 7 without any complications.
(© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.)