Reversal of paralysis and visceral ischemia after thoracic aortic ligation for infection via extra anatomic ascending aorta to infarenal aorta bypass graft

Abstract

Surgical management of acute aortic infection is challenging, including excision of the infected segment and reconstruction either through extra-anatomical bypass or in situ graft replacement with higher risk of re-infection. Here in, we present a case of delayed paralysis developed after an extra-anatomic (axillary-bifemoral) bypass of infected thoracic aorta in a 51 year old Caucasian male. Reversal of paralysis was successfully achieved via larger extra-anatomical ascending aorta to infra-renal aorta bypass and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13019-014-0142-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.