Reoperations after Total Arch Replacement in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

(Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Funabashi Municipal Center, Funabashi, Japan)

Manabu Sakurai Yoshiharu Takahara Kenji Mogi
Gelatin-resorcin-formalin (GRF) glue has been widely used in repair of dissected aortic wall tissue, and the use of GRF glue has been reported to significantly reduce mortality from this surgical emergency. On the other hand, various late complications possibly due to GRF glue have also been reported. We performed reoperations after total arch replacement for acute type A aortic dissection using GRF glue in 2 cases. In case 1, total arch replacement was performed 3 years ago. Pseudoaneurysms of the aortic root and brachiocephalic artery and redissection of the descending aorta were revealed by subsequent computed tomography (CT). Partial graft replacement for these 3 sites were performed with open distal anastomosis and right common carotid artery perfusion. In case 2, total arch replacement was performed 5 years previously. Redissection of the aortic root was revealed by CT, and ultrasound cardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation and severe mitral valve insufficiency. A modified Bentall procedure and mitral valve replacement were performed. In these 2 cases, the sites of redissection and pseudoaneurysm were identified as the sites of use of GRF glue at the first operation. We suspected that the use of GRF glue is associated with a certain amount of risk of redissection and pseudoaneurysm. Such patients should be carefully followed for years after surgery. It is necessary to use appropriate surgical and glue application techniques to obtain the desired effect of the glue.
@Jpn. J. Cardiovasc. Surg. 33: 110-113 (2004)