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Ann Thorac Surg 2000;69:317
© 2000 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Correspondence

Reply

^a Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany

To the Editor

Baribeau and Westbrook described a method of axillary cannution by means of graft interposition, thus avoiding contact between the artery and the inflow cannula, using the graft for patch closure with excellent results [1]. We rather prefer a vertical incision and subsequent closure with interrupted Prolene sutures, as this technique avoids a graft and artificial material for closing the axillary artery, thus avoiding additional costs and reducing the risk of infection.

So far we performed our technique in more than 50 patients with excellent results, and only 1 patient at the beginning of our experience with this technique suffered a mild reversible brachial plexus injury [2]. We emphasize, like Baribeau and Westbrook, that a more aggressive approach to detect a "bad aorta" is warranted, even in young patients to omit the disastrous consequences of a stroke for the patient’s life and the health system. We think that both techniques are safe and easy to perform and the surgeon should make his or her own decision which technique is preferable.

References

1. Baribeau Y.R., Westbrook B.M., Charlesworth D.C., Maloney C.T. Arterial inflow via an axillary artery graft for the severely atheromatous aorta. Ann Thorac Surg 1998;66:33-37.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Leyh R.G., Bartels C., Nötzold A., Sievers H.H. Management of porcelain aorta during coronary artery bypass grafting. Ann Thorac Surg 1999;67:986-988.[Abstract/Free Full Text]

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This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Rainer G. Leyh Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Leyh, R. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Leyh, R. G.