Surgical technique for management of Takayasu's arteritis

Anastomotic aneurysm may occur after surgical treatment of Takayasu's arter itis. We describe a surgical technique designed to prevent this problem. Th e technique includes a bypass from a donor artery to a nondiseased distal a rtery, reinforcement of the suture line to prevent stretching or expansion at the anastomoses, and minimization of inflow perfusion to the brain. The technique was used in two patients, whose grafts were patent 1 and 2 years, respectively, after surgery. Careful differential diagnosis is essential t o the success of this method, which may also be used to treat aortic aneury sm resulting from Behcet's disease but which is not appropriate for mid-aor tic syndrome or Buerger's disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. A ll rights reserved.