Surgery for thoracic aortic disease in Japan: evolving strategies toward the growing enemies.

Recent advances in surgery for thoracic aorta have been described, including data by the annual survey of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery. Current clinical problems in aortic root surgery, brain protection during aortic arch surgery, spinal cord protection during thoracoabdominal aortic surgery, acute aortic dissection and endovascular stenting have been discussed.