An Emergent Nexus between Striae and Thoracic Aortic Dissection.

Current approaches to stratify the risk for disease progression in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) lack precision, which hinders clinical decision making. Connective tissue phenotyping of children with TAA previously identified the association between skin striae and increased rate of aortic dilation. The objective of this study was to analyze associations between connective tissue abnormalities and clinical endpoints in adults with aortopathy.

Repair of Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Mycotic Aneurysms and Infected Aortic Grafts Using Allograft.

Background: Mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic or thoracoabdominal aorta and infection of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic grafts are challenging problems with high mortality. In situ reconstruction with cryopreserved allograft (CPA) avoids placement of prosthetic material in an infected field and avoids suppressive antibiotics or autologous tissue coverage.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with infection of a thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic graft or mycotic aneurysm underwent resection and replacement with CPA from 2006 to 2016.

Long-term survival, valve durability, and reoperation for 4 aortic root procedures combined with ascending aorta replacement.

Objective: To evaluate long-term results of aortic root procedures combined with ascending aorta replacement for aneurysms, using 4 surgical strategies.

Methods: From January 1995 to January 2011, 957 patients underwent 1 of 4 aortic root procedures: valve preservation (remodeling or modified reimplantation, n = 261); composite biologic graft (n = 297); composite mechanical graft (n = 156); or allograft root (n = 243).

Results: Seven deaths occurred (0.

Aortic dissection associated with penetration of a spinal pedicle screw: a case report and review of the literature.

A 30-year-old male underwent a corrective posterior instrumented spinal fusion for scoliosis. Six years later, he was found to have an aortic dissection after aortic penetration of a spinal pedicle screw. We review the literature, including diagnostic modalities, and treatment decision-making for this unusual complication.

"Supercharged" isoperistaltic colon interposition for long-segment esophageal reconstruction.

Background: When the stomach is not available, long-segment esophageal reconstruction remains a surgical challenge. Since 2005, we have used a "supercharged" isoperistaltic colon interposition conduit for long-segment esophageal reconstruction that reestablishes a dual blood supply.

Methods: An institutional database search of 449 patients who underwent esophagectomy from 2005 to 2012 identified 11 consecutive patients who underwent long-segment esophageal reconstruction using an isoperistaltic supercharged right (n=9) or left (n=2) colon conduit.