5 Useful Articles on the Frozen Elephant Trunk Procedure

The frozen elephant trunk procedure has evolved immensely in the past few years. This hybrid vascular graft is now used in the treatment of a variety of aortic pathologies and all types of aortic dissection. For your viewing convenience, we have gathered a list of CTSNet’s most popular content involving the procedure.
 

1. Proximalized Custom-Made Frozen Elephant Trunk for Aortic Arch Reconstruction
By Manuel Wilbring, Klaus Matschke, Utz Kappert

Aortic arch reconstruction is not a standardized procedure and can vary between surgeons. This video outlines a simplified approach to using the frozen elephant trunk device in aortic arch reconstruction with the intention to demystify and streamline the procedure.
 

2. Total Aortic Arch Replacement Using Frozen Elephant Trunk Device: Results of a One-Year US Multicenter Trial
JANS Item Submitted by Wei-Guo Ma

Because the frozen elephant trunk is a relatively novel device, it is important to be aware of any updated safety and clinical outcomes. This study from The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery reported the results of a year-long trial that concluded promising outcomes for aortic repair using the device.
 

3. “Sandwich” Frozen Elephant Trunk and Left Axillary Cannulation Facilities Repair of Ruptured Aortic Arch and Descending Aorta
By Jonathan Hemli, Luigi Pirelli, Nirav Patel, Derek Brinster

The “sandwich” frozen elephant trunk technique is especially helpful in the repair of acute aortic dissection. This video’s authors demonstrate how they complemented the use of two aortic stent grafts with left axillary artery cannulation to obtain hemostasis.
 

4. The 7 Pillars of the Frozen Elephant Trunk
JANS Item Submitted by Jessica Luc

The frozen elephant trunk can be used in procedures ranging from the treatment of complex aortic pathologies to acute and chronic aortic dissection. This Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery article highlights seven key things to know in performing these procedures, including basic surgical technique, sizing, and possible complications.
 

5. Root and Total Arch Replacement and Frozen Elephant Trunk In Aortic Dissection: How We Do It
By Cristiano Spadaccio, Yijun Zhong, Haiou Hu, Zhiyu Qiao, Chengnan Li, Yipeng Ge, Jun Ming Zhu, Marc Moon, Li Zhong Sun

Finally, this video demonstrates a technique celebrated for its technical simplicity, minimization of cardiac and cerebral ischemia, and the possibility of adding a second graft for proximal reconstruction. 

Share your favorite way to use the frozen elephant trunk procedure in the comments below.