Introduction

The purpose of this chapter is to describe to the reader the embryology, classification, presentation, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of aortic arch malformations that commonly cause tracheal and esophageal extrinsic compression. The most common vascular rings are double aortic arch, right aortic arch with left ligamentum, pulmonary artery sling, and aberrant right subclavian artery. The surgical management of vascular ring anomalies has evolved. The current strategies for the management of Kommerell diverticulum and circumflex aorta are described and contemporary surgical approaches such as video assisted thoracoscopic surgery are revisited.