Vascular Rings and the Aberrant Subclavian Artery 11 Cases Study


Abstract in English

Background& Objective:Vascular rings are unusual rare congenital anomalies .Its incidence is less than 0.2%.Most of these defects are discovered early in infancy or childhood .They result in complete or partial encirclement of the trachea and/or esophagus .Some vascular rings are associated with other congenital heart defects, others may be isolated deficits. We present here eleven cases which we have encountered since the mid of 2009.These cases were managed surgically with good results .Through this study, we aim at demonstrating how to treat these cases surgically and to clarify the best approach for each case. Materials & Methods: A retrospective study at Damascus University Cardiac Surgery Hospital in the period between 2009 to 2010 was conducted.11 patients with diagnosed vascular rings underwent surgical repair. Results: Ages ranged between 1.5 months to 5 years with almost equal sex distribution. Most complaints were respiratory. Vascular rings include double aortic arche, aberrant left Subclavian artery and aberrant right Subclavian artery .Associated defects were in54% of cases. No complications were noticed postoperatively or in the follow up period which extended between 7 and10 months' .Remarkable relief and symptoms release were achieved postoperatively. Conclusion: Surgery affords excellent long-term resolution of symptoms. Early diagnosis and surgery are imperative to reduce the long-termsequels.

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