Open aortic surgery remains essential to deal with unusual and complex cases

The considerable progress made in the field of endovascular aortic surgery over the last 30 years has led many vascular surgeons to restrict their practice of conventional open surgery. However, there remain many unusual aortic pathologies, anatomically complex or which have become complex after numerous attempts at endovascular treatment for which the practice of open surgery remains essential. We will review certain unusual or complex cases that a tertiary center may be required to take care of and will describe the contribution of open surgery for which we continue to provide training.