Total Arch Replacement Using Manufactured Frozen Elephant Trunk after Acute Type-A Dissection Repair

The purpose of this study is to assess the result of total arch replacement(TAR) using manufactured frozen elephant trunk(FET) for chronic aortic dissection after initial repair including the effect of aortic remodeling by the FET. Between 2003 and 2015, we performed 11 TAR using manufactured FET. Initial repairs before were 9 ascending aortic replacements and 2 Bentall operations. The entry of residual dissection was located at arch in 7 and at distal anastomosis site in 4. There was no hospital death. The operative complication included 2 surgical site infection, 1 interstitial pneumonia and 1 paraplegia with almost full recovery. Postoperative computed tomography 2.1 months after operation showed distal end of the FET was located at aortic valve level in 7 and at pulmonary bifurcation level in 4. There was no entry in thoracic aorta. Thrombosis of descending aorta was achieved in 7 patients. Significant midterm aortic remodeling (increased diameter of true lumen and decreased diameter of false lumen) was achieved, although the total diameter of aorta was increased. TAR using manufactured FET after type-A dissection repair promoted entry closure and thrombosis of false lumen. It requires long-term observation to judge the effect for aortic remodeling.