Anterior Translocation of the Right Pulmonary Artery to Avoid Airway Compression in Aortic Arch Repair

Background Airway compression caused by an enlarged right pulmonary artery (RPA) in patients with a large shunt can usually be managed with intracardiac repair and concomitant anterior aortopexy. However, anterior aortopexy can be less effective or even dangerous in patients with coexisting arch anomaly due to excessive tension at the arch repair site. We have adopted anterior translocation of RPA without aortic transection in the group of patients with a high risk of postoperative airway compression. We reviewed the early and midterm results of this technique. Methods From February 2006 to January 2013, 8 patients underwent RPA anterior translocation as a concomitant procedure in one-stage repair of ventricular septal defect (VSD) and aortic arch anomaly to avoid postoperative airway problems. The enlarged RPA was disconnected from the main pulmonary artery (MPA) at its origin and was relocated anterior to the ascending aorta, and subsequently reimplanted to the U-shaped trapdoor incision at the anterolateral MPA wall. The mean age at operation was 34 days (median, 14 days, 6 to 77 days), and the mean body weight was 3.6 kg (2.15 to 5.5 kg). All patients had coarctation of the aorta and VSD except 1 who had aortic arch interruption. Five patients were dependent on a ventilator preoperatively. Six patients had evidence of preoperative bronchial compression (left; 4, right and left; 2), and 2 had a high probability of postoperative bronchial compression due to unusual anterior location of the descending aorta. Results There was no early or late death. There were no postoperative airway problems such as reintubation or left lung atelectasis. Widely patent RPA was confirmed on postoperative computed tomographic angiography in all patients. The mean follow-up duration was 54.0 ± 17.1 months. One patient required balloon angioplasty for mild stenosis at the clamping site 3 years after the operation. All patients had no RPA stenosis at the latest follow-up evaluation. Conclusions Anterior translocation of the RPA as a concomitant procedure in one-stage repair of VSD and arch anomaly is a safe and effective procedure to avoid postoperative airway problems in high-risk patients.