Hybrid treatment of a ruptured diverticulum of Kommerell.

PURPOSE: To report a patient with a ruptured diverticulum of Kommerell and to discuss treatment options and complications.

CASE REPORT: An 82-year-old woman with no prior medical history was diagnosed with a ruptured aneurysmal proximal aberrant right subclavian artery (diverticulum of Kommerell). She was treated with a carotid-subclavian bypass, a thoracic aortic stent-graft covering both subclavian orifices, and a vascular plug in the proximal right subclavian artery. After an initially uneventful recovery, the patient developed delayed ischemic esophageal ulcerations and subsequent perforation at 6 weeks postoperatively, leading to mediastinitis and stent-graft infection.

CONCLUSION

A hybrid approach may be of value in cases of ruptured diverticulum of Kommerell. However, despite the anticipated reduction in perioperative mortality, this technique still yields a considerable risk of postoperative complications and mortality.