Abstract
In this report we present a brief video illustrating the “Finger-Thumb Technique”
that we have used extensively at our institution for elephant trunk retrieval during
second stage elephant trunk procedures. Although only safe in experienced hands, this
technique is a viable option in the arsenal of a cardiothoracic surgeon, especially
in cases when proximally surrounding a massively enlarged aorta is unappealing.
Key Words
Descending aorta - Thoracic aortic aneurysm - Surgical treatment - Stage II elephant
trunk procedure