[Aneurysm of the diverticulum of the ductus arteriosus in the adult with left pneumonectomy; report of a case].

A 51-year-old man with dyspnea was admitted to our hospital. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan and aortogram indicated a diagnosis of aneurysm of diverticulum of the ductus arteriosus. Aneurysm of the diverticulum of the ductus arteriosus in the adult is rare. To our knowledge, 34 cases have been reported in the Japanese literature. Operation was performed through standard left postero-lateral thoracotomy. Initially left pneumonectomy was performed because of severe left lung collapse. And subsequently graft replacement of distal aortic arch was performed with hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion. The aneurysmal wall directly penetrated into the trachea with occluded orifice by thrombus. The penetrating wall of the trachea was closed by mattress suture with pericardial pledget. And an omental graft was placed. Five weeks after surgery, high fever and pus discharge from the wound of the thoracotomy developed. The debridement of the thoracic cavity was performed, and the cavity was intermittently irrigated with an electrolyzed strong acid solution. The infection successfully subsided gradually and the patient has been well for 9 months after the initial surgery.