Kommerell's diverticulum is a rare congenital abnormal aortic development. The diverticulum can occur in both left and right aortic arches, from which an aberrant subclavian artery rises to the contralateral side. Only a small number of patients with Kommerell's diverticulum present symptoms. Dysphagia, dyspnea, chest discomfort and upper extremity blood pressure difference are common in adult patients. The risk of aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm rupture is higher in such patients than that in patients with normal aorta. Early surgical intervention is recommended to improve the prognosis. Treatment options include open surgical repair, hybrid operation and total endovascular repair. The choice of surgical method depends on the specific anatomy of patients, the patients' state and the preference of surgeons. This paper reviewed and summarized the surgical methods and early results of the treatment of Kommerell's diverticulum reported in the literature from 2015 to 2020.
ObjectiveTo investigate the best anatomical classification, surgical timing, procedure and clinical outcomes of congenital vascular ring.MethodsThe clinical data of 58 patients who underwent congenital vascular ring surgery in Pediatric Surgery Center, Fuwai Hospital between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 32 (55.2%) males and 26 (44.8%) females with a median age of 16.5 (2-73) months. Preoperative symptoms, imaging examinations, anatomical classifications, surgical procedures and postoperative recovery were assessed.ResultsThere were 20 (34.5%) patients of double aortic arch, 22 (37.9%) patients of right aortic arch with left arterial duct or ligament, 15 (25.9%) patients of left aortic arch with aberrant right subclavian artery, and 1 (1.7%) patient of circumflex aorta with cervical aorta arch. The median ventilator supporting time was 6.0 (0-648) h, and the median hospital stay time was 14.5 (7-104) d. One patient with coarctation of aorta died of severe pulmonary infection during perioperative period, and the others survived without symptoms and reoperation after discharge. The median follow-up time was 7.0 (1-62) months.ConclusionFor children with unexplained dyspnea and dysphagia, or with right aortic arch, preoperative imaging examinations such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging are required to confirm the diagnosis of vascular ring. Surgical correction of congenital vascular ring is safe and reliable, and can effectively relieve symptoms. The mortality rate and reoperation rate are low, and the follow-up results are satisfactory.