Trapdoor thoracotomy as a surgical approach for aortic arch aneurysm.

Since 1991 ten patients, 9 male and 1 female, with aortic arch aneurysm underwent surgical therapy with trapdoor thoracotomy. The mean age was 67.4 +/- 9.1 (standard deviation) years at operation. In addition to the aortic arch repair, we also performed seven descending aortic replacements. We performed one partial arch replacement, one total arch replacement, and one aneurysmorrhaphy and wrapping of the aortic arch aneurysm. We experienced 1 case of paraplegia, no hospital death, and no long-term mortality.