Airway compression by dilated right pulmonary artery (RPA) in infants with congenital heart disease can cause severe respiratory insufficiency and increase postoperative morbidity. Anterior aortopexy can be a good solution. However, in a case in which aortic arch repair is required, anterior aortopexy might not be effective or can be dangerous. Anterior translocation of the RPA can be a good option to avoid postoperative airway obstruction. We adopted this technique in a one-stage complete repair of distal aortopulmonary window, aortic origin of the RPA, interrupted aortic arch, and ventricular septal defect in a neonate with compression of both main bronchi. After 37 months of follow-up, no problem was encountered with her airway or RPA. We describe the technique used and the results obtained.
Copyright © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.