RECONSTRUCTION OF THE AORTIC-ARCH IN INVASIVE THYMOMA UNDER RETROGRADE CEREBRAL PERFUSION

Extensive en-bloc resection of the aortic arch and anterior wall of th e main pulmonary artery was performed in a 46-year-old man with invasi ve thymoma. The aortic arch was replaced with a Hemashield vascular gr aft under hypothermic circulatory arrest with retrograde cerebral perf usion. Patch plasty with Xenomedica was performed for the anterior wal l of the main pulmonary artery under cardiopulmonary bypass. The patie nt was treated with postoperative radiotherapy and has remained asympt omatic for 15 months after the operation. An extensive operation is co nsidered necessary to improve the prognosis of invasive thymoma. (Ann Thorac Surg 1998;66:263-4). (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeo ns.