Contemporary outcomes of open thoraco-abdominal aortic repair: a single-centre experience

Thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) are dangerous if untreated, leading to high mortality. While endovascular treatment is an option, it's not always suitable, especially for younger patients or those with collagen disorders. This study examines the outcomes of open surgical repair of TAAAs at a single medical center between 2015 and 2023. The study included patients undergoing open surgical repair for TAAAs (Crawford-Safi Types I–V) from 2015 to 2023. Data on patient characteristics, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. The main goal was to assess operative mortality, with secondary goals including spinal cord injury, stroke, and the need for dialysis. The results showed that open TAAA surgery, when performed by a specialized team following strict protocols, can effectively manage this complex condition. The study reported low rates of mortality and severe complications, suggesting that open repair remains a valuable option.

• 1
  Operative mortality was 7.9%, with similar rates in elective (7.5%) and non-elective (9.1%) cases.
• 2
  Spinal cord injury occurred in 7.4% of patients, with persistent paraparesis in 2.1% and paraplegia in 1.6% at discharge.
• 3
  Acute kidney injury occurred in 38.4% of patients, with 6.9% requiring dialysis and 3.7% continuing dialysis at discharge.