Surgical correction of vascular ring in Thai patients at a tertiary hospital

Background: Vascular ring is a rare congenital vascular disease. The result of vascular ring surgery in Thailand remains unknown as it lacks serial data. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the result of vascular ring surgery at Siriraj Hospital and demonstrate the usefulness of the computed tomograph angiographic scanning (CTA) for preoperative anatomical diagnosis of the vascular ring for planning the surgical correction. Material and Method: We reviewed our experiences for all patients that underwent vascular rings surgery at our institute between 1979 and 2009, about preoperative diagnostic imaging, operative technique, and clinical outcome. Results: Twelve medical records of patients that underwent vascular rings surgery were reviewed. The age at time of operation ranged from one month to two years (median 3 months). The surgical approaches were eight median sternotomies, three left thoracotomies, and one right thoracotomy. There were two cases of postoperative complication (residual tracheal and left pulmonary artery stenosis and surgical bleeding). There was one hospital mortality (pneumonia and sepsis). Conclusion: Surgical correction of vascular ring is effective and safe. CTA can give the precise anatomic diagnosis of the vascular rings, lead to good surgical planning, proper surgical approach, and good outcome.