The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Controversy exists regarding the optimal extent of repair for type A aortic dissection. Our approach is to replace the ascending aorta, and only replace the aortic root or arch when intimal tears are present in those areas. We examined intermediate outcomes with this approach to acute type A aortic dissection repair. ⋯ A selective approach to root and arch repair in acute type A aortic dissection is safe. If aortic reintervention is needed, survival does not appear to be affected.
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The Nuss procedure is a minimally invasive surgery for pectus excavatum. Success of the Nuss procedure is dependent on a previously bent pectus bar that is shaped to the desired curvature of the chest wall. Traditionally, the size and curvature of the metallic pectus bar are determined by trial and error. Herein, we introduce a novel design method for the metallic pectus bar to optimize the bar curvature and outcome after the Nuss procedure. ⋯ Our initial results revealed that the 3D printed model-assisted Nuss procedure reduces the surgical duration and facilitates an optimal morphological outcome.