REPAIR OF INTERRUPTED AORTIC-ARCH WITH AN AUGMENTED AORTIC ANASTOMOSIS

In cases of interrupted aortic arch type A, the end-to-end aortic anas tomosis can be enlarged with a left subclavian flap. In type B interru ption, the divided left carotid artery is anastomosed to the distal ao rta, and the anastomosis can be augmented with a reversed left subclav ian flap. These techniques provide a tension-free, much wider, and non circumferential anastomosis with potential for growth. Using a combine d lateral and anterior approach, the duration of circulatory arrest fo r the intracardiac repair is minimized.