A successful surgical case of a dissecting aortic aneurysm with right-sided aortic arch and right-sided descending aorta

The patient was a 70-year-old female whose aortogram and chest computer tomogram revealed DeBakey type IIIb dissecting aortic aneurysm in association with right-sided aortic arch, right-sided descending aorta and aberrant left subclavian artery arising from the Kommerell's diverticulum. Because she had cachexy with hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing caused by an aneurysm she received hypotensive therapy until recovery of her general condition before elective operation. The aneurysm was 7 cm in diameter and was replaced with vascular graft. Reconstruction of the aberrant left subclavian artery and closure of the false lumen via right thoracotomy were also performed under partial bypass installed between the right common femoral vein and artery using modified PCPS. Postoperative computer tomogram and aortogram showed properly replaced vascular graft and closure of false lumen. Dissecting aortic aneurysm complicated with a right-sided arch is quite rare. Including our case, 12 cases have been reported in the world and 9 cases were in Japan. This is one of the most successful surgical case for DeBakey type IIIb dissecting aortic aneurysm in association with right-sided aortic arch, right-sided descending aorta and aberrant left subclavian artery arising from the Kommerell's diverticulum.