The unifocal bilateral bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis.
We propose a new surgical technique to manage the presence of bilateral superior venae cavae in single ventricle patients, a recognized risk factor for both bidirectional Glenn anastomosis and Fontan completion. The idea is to convert two small, peripheral and competing bilateral bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomoses into a single, larger, and centrally located cavopulmonary connection. This technique, used in 2 patients, provides a symmetrical distribution of pulmonary blood flow and may, in fact, yield growth of the central pulmonary arteries as well as prevent thrombus formation.
Cardiac Surgery Service of the Medical-Surgical Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Rome, Italy. antonioamodeo@yahoo.it
Antonio
A
Amodeo
Roberto M
RM
Di Donato
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*