Cyanoacrylate glue as an alternative to an additional suture line in the repair of type A aortic dissection.

We describe the use of cyanoacrylate glue in conjunction with gelatin-resorcinol-formalin glue for the treatment of type A aortic dissection. Instead of placing an additional suture line 2-3 cm from the edges of the aortic stumps to create a large pocket for gluing, we have been using a cyanoacrylate adhesive for approximating the walls of the true and false lumina without the risk of tearing them. Moreover, the simplicity and quickness of the procedure enables application of the cyanoacrylate glue even deeper into the aortic arch, creating a wider area for gluing the dissected layers.