Open Surgery of a Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Impending Rupture with a Compression of Left Main Bronchus

Abstract

We describe the successful surgical treatment of an impending rupture of a saccular descending thoracic aortic aneurysm and accompanying compression of the left main bronchus. A 69-year-old man presented with a history of tingling chest pain lasting for a few hours. His left lung cannot be auscultated, and he was rapid progression of dyspnea. Computed tomography (CT) showed a saccular aneurysm compressing the left main bronchus. The patient was treated with conventional open surgery. The compression was immediately released. No additional surgical intervention was needed and his postoperative course was uneventful. After 6 months of surgery, he remains well.