Early results of ring-reinforced conduit and curved porcine patch in Sano-Norwood procedure.

BACKGROUND: Patch augmentation of the aortic arch as well as construction of an unobstructed pulmonary blood supply are two important surgical targets in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. In this report, we aimed to present our preliminary results with a combination of two relatively new approaches in Norwood-Sano procedure.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 10 newborns with the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Our surgical approach incorporated the interposition of a 6.0-mm ring-reinforced tube graft with the "dunked technique" between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; and reconstruction of the aortic arch using a curved porcine pericardial patch which is specifically designed for the Norwood procedure.

RESULTS: Mean age and body weight at the time of the Sano-Norwood operation were 7.3 ± 2.4 days and 3164 ± 406 g, respectively. We encountered 1 (10%) early and 1 (10%) late mortality. All of the patients were discharged without any residual gradients at the aortic arch. Four out of eight patients underwent stage 2 bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis at a median age of 5 months (range, 4-6 months). Pericardial patch augmentation of the left pulmonary artery was deemed mandatory in one of our patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The dunked technique of interposing a ring-reinforced conduit between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery along with the utilization of a curved porcine pericardial patch specifically designed for aortic arch reconstruction are promising modifications of the Sano-Norwood procedure in newborns with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.