Aortic coarctation with hypoplasia of the arch: description of a new surgical technic

The aortic coarctation is frequently associated with aortic arch tubular hypoplasia, especially in early infancy. The treatment in one time of both lesions is mandatory in these cases. We propose therefore a new surgical technique: after resection of the isthmic coarctation and appropriate cutting of both ends, the anastomosis is widely extended in the concavity of transverse aortic arch, beyond the hypoplastic region. We discuss the advantages of this technique over the classic end-to-end anastomosis, patch graft and subclavian flap angioplasty.