Operative management for extent II thoracoabdominal aortoiliac reconstruction for pneumococcal aortitis

Infectious aortitis is an uncommon but life-threatening condition due to its potential to cause mycotic aneurysms, which may lead to vascular rupture. When signs of vascular disruption are present, isolated antibiotic therapy is insufficient, requiring combined open surgical resection of the infected aorta. A 68-year-old woman diagnosed with Streptococcus pneumoniae aortitis is presented. Multiple saccular mycotic aneurysms of varying sizes along the thoracoabdominal aorta, with intense fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on positron emission tomography scan were present in conjunction with extravascular infectious sources. Urgent Crawford extent II thoracoabdominal aortoiliac reconstruction was indicated. Due to extensive atheromatosis of the proximal descending aorta and the relative contraindication to cerebrospinal fluid drainage (spondylodiscitis), repair was performed with profound hypothermia (18°C). Renal protection was achieved using Custodiol and visceral perfusion maintained with cold blood. Each visceral artery was individually reimplanted using a 26mm multibranched graft. Distal reconstruction was completed with a bifurcated prosthesis, given the presence of severe aortic bifurcation calcification. Despite negative intra-operative cultures, histopathology confirmed extensive aortic inflammatory/reparative findings. Post-operative recovery was uneventful. At 1-year follow-up, the patient remains in good condition, with no clinical recurrence, no pathological positron emission tomography/computed tomography uptake, and a stable aortic repair without suppressive antibiotics.