Bilateral Pulmonary Arteries Reconstruction for Correction of Tetralogy
of Fallot with Unilateral Absence of the Pulmonary Artery
Abstract
Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common
combined the deformity of unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery
(UAPA). The treatment strategy of TOF combined with UAPA is still very
controversial. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the bilateral
pulmonary reconstruction for patients with TOF combined with UAPA.
Methods: A single-institution, retrospective review of all 1713
patients with TOF between January 2009 to November 2021. Eight patients
were diagnosed with TOF combined with UAPA, and 7 patients underwent the
surgery. Three patients underwent one-stage TOF correction with
bilateral pulmonary artery reconstruction. Three patients underwent
bilateral pulmonary artery reconstruction, followed by two-stage TOF
correction after several months. One patient underwent 2 procedures of
left pulmonary artery reconstruction, and the VSD remained open.
Results: All 7 patients survived during the postoperative
follow-up and showed good cardiac function and normal oxygen saturation
>97%. During the follow-up with echocardiograms, it was
found that the left pulmonary arteries that were reconstructed with
Goretex vessel or direct anastomosis had thrombosis or stenosis. The
left pulmonary artery reconstructed with the modified autologous tissue
extension technique was unobstructed. Conclusions: In patients
with TOF and UAPA, if there is a pulmonary confluence in the affected
hilum, it is feasible to implement bilateral pulmonary artery
reconstruction for one-stage TOF correction. The use of pulmonary artery
extension technique and autologous tissue to bilateral pulmonary
reconstruct could reduce the incidence of anastomotic stenosis.