Finger-Thumb Technique for Elephant Trunk Retrieval

In this report we present a brief video illustrating the "Finger-Thumb Technique" that we have used extensively at our institution for elephant trunk retrieval during second stage elephant trunk procedures. Although only safe in experienced hands, this technique is a viable option in the arsenal of a cardiothoracic surgeon, especially in cases when proximally surrounding a massively enlarged aorta is unappealing.