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A systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt is still widely used for palliation of some neonates with cyanotic congenital cardiac lesions. This procedure, however, is well known to be associated with some degree of morbidity and mortality. To reduce the incidence of iatrogenic pulmonary arterial deformities, we have devised a new and simple technique to create the shunt using a partial sternotomy, and have used our technique in 10 neonates with cyanotic cardiac malformations. All but one of our patients survived, and an early reoperation was needed in only one further patient for revision of the shunt. Successful bidirectional Glenn procedures were performed in five of the nine surviving patients within 18 months of the initial procedure. We believe that our technique provides superior palliation by permitting equal enlargement of the right and left pulmonary arteries, and thus facilitates subsequent completion of the Fontan circulation.

Background Successful transfer of the coronary arteries is the most critical step during arterial switch operations for patients with transposition of the great arteries with a single coronary artery ostium and/or intramural coronary arteries. Various techniques have been reported and the present study was an evaluation of them in 10 neonatal patients. Methods and Results Coronary artery transfers are achieved by implantation of coronary buttons to the previously anastomosed neo-aorta using pericardial or pulmonary artery hood techniques. One patient died perioperatively because of myocardial malperfusion. Following prolonged mechanical ventilation, another died from sepsis on the 28th postoperative day. Coronary artery perfusion abnormality was not observed in the remaining patients. Conclusions Transfer of the coronary button by the pericardial or pulmonary artery hood augmentation technique to the previously anastomosed neo-aorta is a practical, easy and convenient combination of methods for the treatment of these patients. (Circ J 2004; 68: 1179 - 1183)

Objective: This study assessed the surgical and post-operative outcome of single-stage complete unifocalization and repair procedure in patients with complex pulmonary atresia. Methods: From 1999 to 2001. we performed complete unifocalization and correction in 10 patients with complex pulmonary atresia. Their ages ranged from 10 months to 17 years. All patients were evaluated with pulmonary angiography and divided into two groups according to the development of native pulmonary arteries. Group I patients had hypoplastic pulmonary arteries and MAPCAs and Group II patients had only MAPCAs without native pulmonary arteries. With median sternotomy, all MAPCAs were prepared and anastomozed to native pulmonary arteries in group I patients or on a pericardial roll in group II patients without using cardiopulmonary bypass. Right ventricle to pulmonary arterial continuity was established with a valved conduit under CPB. VSD was closed in two patients. Results: Eight patients had complete repair without VSD closure. They were followed periodically with pulmonary angiography. Two patients developed congestive heart failure. One of them was reoperated and VSD was closed. The other patient died because of untraceable congestive heart failure. The decision for VSD closure was made in two patients due to suitable pulmonary arterial vascular tree. However, one of them had to be reoperated and VSD patch was removed. This patient died because of sepsis on the postoperative 26th day. We are following the rest of the patients with echocardiography and pulmonary angiography. Conclusion: Single stage complete unifocalization and repair should be the treatment of choice in patients with complex pulmonary atresia. This procedure provides a significant development in neopulmonary arterial system. However, the accurate criterias for VSD closure are still controversial. After the operation, these patients had to be followed closely with echocardiography and pulmonary angiography because of the absolute risk of congestive heart failure in patients with VSD left open.

Background The authors evaluated the surgical treatment of aortic arch anomalies associated with intracardiac pathologies, through median sternotomy on beating heart without using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods A consecutive series of 10 patients with aortic coarctation were operated upon. Median age at repair was 3.5 months (range, 5 days to 72 months), median weight was 4 kg (range, 2.2 to 30 kg). All aortic obstruction repairs were done via midsternotomy without using CPB and it is used only for repair of intracardiac defects. The aortic reconstruction included resection and end-to-side anastomosis in six patients and pulmonary autograft patch aortoplasty in four patients. Results There was no operative mortality. Mean follow-up value was 17.6 +/- 8.07 months. There was no restenosis. Conclusion Most of the aortic coarctation and interrupted aorta type A can be well-treated surgically through median sternotomy without using CPB. Thus, the need for profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest and its potential neurological and other side effects are removed and CPB is reserved only for associated intracardiac defects, if present.

Background: The management of the apical multiple muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) remains still controversial. There are various surgical techniques and approaches for closure of “Swiss-cheese” VSDs. In this study, we report the outcome of multiple muscular VSDs repair, using the septal obliteration technique. Methods: We used the septal obliteration technique in five “Swiss-cheese” ventricular septal defects cases through right atriotomy. Four of the cases had isolated multiple VSDs. One case also had an aortic arch interruption type A, which was repaired prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. Their ages varied between 43 days and 6 years. Results: We did not experience any mortality or serious morbidity. Tracheostomy was required in one patient. There was no important residual shunt in postoperative period, except a minimal shunt in one case. Conclusion: The closure technique of “Swiss-cheese” trabecular multiple VSDs using a large single patch was not troubling. Transatrial approach prevented postoperative problems of ventricular incision. Using a large needle with a large pledgett is the key, which provides deep tissue penetration to avoid residual shunt.

The surgical management of the aortic arch pathologies is still subject to discussion. Primary end-to-end anastomosis has some complications such as bronchial compression, tension in the suture lines, and probability of recurrence. On the other hand, patch aortoplasties combined with end-to-end anastomosis carry the risk of aneurysm formation and recurrence. Considering the growth potential, pulmonary autograft patch use in aortic arch reconstructions has recently been introduced into clinical practice. In this study, we present the early findings of combined end-to-end anastomosis and pulmonary autograft patchplasty procedure in six patients. According to our experience the technique applied in this report seems to be more advantageous than other conventional approaches.