posted on 2021-04-15, 16:37authored bySameh M. Said, Gamal Marey
We
present to you an off pump extracardiac non-fenestrated Fontan in a child with
pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.
This is a 6-year old, 16-kg girl with a functional single ventricle. Her
previous two palliations were a left MBT shunt followed by a bidirectional
cavopulmonary anastomosis (Glenn). She presented with cyanosis (saturation of
low-mid 70%) and polycythemia with preoperative hemoglobin level of 21 g/dl.
Echocardiography showed good ventricular function and widely patent Glenn.
Cardiac catheterization showed satisfactory hemodynamics for completion Fontan
but multiple veno-venous and arteriovenous collaterals. Coil embolization was
performed.
A third time sternotomy was performed. The right and left main branch pulmonary
arteries were dissected, the ascending aorta, the Glenn and the inferior vena cava
(IVC) were all dissected and fully mobilized. Systemic heparinization was
performed. A pressure monitoring line was placed in the SVC. This measured
10-12 mmHg. Proximal and distal control of the left branch pulmonary artery was
achieved. A 20 mm Gore-Tex graft was chosen as the Fontan conduit.
An arteriotomy was performed on the inferior surface of the left main branch
pulmonary artery. An end-to-side graft-to-pulmonary artery anastomosis was then
constructed. The superior vena caval pressure remained no higher than 20 mmHg
during the construction of the graft to pulmonary artery anastomosis with
satisfactory cerebral NIRS.
In preparation for the IVC–to-graft anastomosis, a passive IVC drainage circuit
was created by placing a single stage 18 Fr venous cannula in the right atrium
and an 18 Fr. right angled venous cannula in the IVC. Both cannulae were
connected with a Y-connector and the patient was placed in a Trendelenburg
position. Low dose Dopamine was initiated. The IVC was then test clamped and the
patient hemodynamics remained satisfactory. The IVC was then disconnected from
the atrium between two vascular clamps. Its atrial end was oversewn. We then
constructed the IVC-to-graft anastomosis. The graft length and orientation was
adequate. The Fontan pressure measured 12-14 mmHg. Echocardiogram showed widely
patent Fontan connections with laminar flow in both branch pulmonary arteries.
The clamp time for the pulmonary-graft Anastomosis: 24 minutes, and the clamp
time for the Graft-to-IVC Anastomosis: 13 Minutes.
The patient was extubated in the operating room and received no transfusions.
The remaining postoperative course was uneventful and chest tubes were removed
on day 3 and 4 postoperatively.