Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2009 Dec;42(6):749-756.

Twelve Years of Experience with Vascular Ring Surgery

• Kim YS
• Goo HW
• Jhang WK
• Yun TJ
• Seo DM
• Park JJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vascular ring is a rare anomaly of the aortic arch. We did surgical repair procedures on 16 cases of vascular ring over the past 12 years. This article reviews our results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1995 and 2007, 16 patients (5 with double aortic arch, 7 with right aortic arch-left ligamentum, 4 with pulmonary artery sling) underwent surgical repair. Mean age at the time of the operation were as follows: double aortic arch, 5.7+/-5.5 years; right aortic arch-left ligamentum, 6.1+/-13.4 years; pulmonary artery sling, 2.9+/-2.6 years. Five patients (71%) with right aortic arch-left ligamentum had an associated Kommerell's diverticulum. Two patients (40%) with double aortic arch, 2 patients (28.6%) with right aortic arch-left ligament and 4 patients (100%) with pulmonary artery sling had associated airway stenosis. Cardiac anomalies were present in 8 of 16 patients. RESULT: There was no peri-operative or post-operative mortality. The mean hospital stay was 27.1+/-38.2 days. None of our patients underwent reoperation.
CONCLUSION
Vascular ring is rare, but, it needs surgical correction. It is important to suspect the diagnosis and to validate with echocardiography. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography and bronchoscopy are useful to evaluate the airway and surrounding structures.

Keyword

Anomaly; Aorta, arch; Pulmonary arteries; Tracheal stenosis; Vascular ring

MeSH Terms

Aorta, Thoracic
Bronchoscopy
Constriction, Pathologic
Diverticulum
Echocardiography
Humans
Length of Stay
Ligaments
Pulmonary Artery
Reoperation
Tracheal Stenosis