The internal mammary artery free and flap aortoplasty in coarctation of the aorta.

A technique for correction of aortic coarctation is described in which the left internal mammary artery (IMA) is distally divided for integration in the repair. After resection of the internal coarctation ridge, the distal end of the freed IMA is obliquely severed, opened to required length and thus fashioned as a widening flap suitable fro aortoplasty. IMA free end flap aortoplasty gave promising early results in seven patients aged 10-15 years with aortic coarctation and IMA of good quality and calibre.