Septic false aneurysm of the ascending thoracic aorta. Value of covering omentum repair
Guesnier, L.; Pochmalicki, G.; Loisance, D.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 93(10): 1243-1247
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 11107486 Document Number: 515689
The incidence of post-sternotomy mediastinitis is 1 to 5% but the mortality is about 40%. The formation of a pseudo-aneurysm is a rare complication and an infectious origin is exceptionally rare. Diagnosis must be early because of the risk of rupture. In this case, a 47 year old patient developed slowly progressive mediastinitis presenting with a pseudo-aneurysm of the aorta. Surgery comprised a retrosternal transposition of the greater omentum.