Failure of Sandwich Technique for Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Treated with Custom-Made Fenestrated Endograft

BACKGROUND: Custom-made fenestrated and branched endografts are considered the gold standard devices for thoracoabdominal repair, with lower perioperative mortality and morbidities than open surgical repair. Although they are not feasible in urgent and emergent settings, in which sandwich techniques are often necessary, custom-made devices can still be used as bail-out options to correct late complications such as high-flow endoleaks, as shown in this case report.

METHODS: A complex, symptomatic thoracoabdominal aneurysm, unsuitable for open repair, was treated by sandwich technique on the celiac trunk despite having a short distal neck. After the finding of a high-flow type IB endoleak during postoperative follow-up, reintervention was planned with a custom-made endograft with a distal scallop, to preserve patency of the superior mesenteric artery.

RESULTS: The procedure achieved technical success, with complete exclusion of the aneurysm and patency of all the visceral arteries.

CONCLUSIONS: Bail-out endovascular repair with custom-made endografts after failure of parallel graft repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms is a valuable treatment option preventing the risks related to an open conversion.