Left upper lobectomy with pulmonary artery reconstruction after neoadjuvant therapy in re-VATS

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is considered the gold standard for the treatment of early stage non-small-cell lung cancer. Many studies have demonstrated reduced postoperative pain, hospital stay, and morbidity, while achieving the same oncological results. Indeed, it has become a widespread technique in many countries around the world. VATS can be applied also to challenging surgical procedures, such as plasty of the pulmonary artery, to obtain an oncologically radical resection of the tumor, and in the context of an N2 disease even after a previous operation on the thorax. In this case report, we demonstrate how to carry out this procedure safely to achieve radical resection of the diseased tissue.

Bilateral Pulmonary Arteries Reconstruction for Correction of Tetralogy of Fallot with Unilateral Absence of the Pulmonary Artery

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.

Risk Factors for Reoperation After Arterial Switch Operation

Objective: The timing and nature of and risk factors for reoperation after the arterial switch operation in the setting of d-transposition of the great arteries requires further elucidation. Methods: A total of 403 patients who underwent arterial switch operation from 1986 to 2017 were reviewed. Institutional preference was for pulmonary artery reconstruction using a pantaloon patch of fresh autologous pericardium. The targets for coronary artery reimplantation were identified by intermittent root distension. Multivariable analysis was used to identify risk factors for reoperation. Results: Median follow-up was 8.6 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2-16.9). Pulmonary arterioplasty was the most common reoperation (n = 11, 2.7%) at 3.3 years (IQR: 1.4-11.4) postoperatively. Subvalvar right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR) was required in nine (2.2%) patients at 2.5 years (IQR: 1.1-5.3) postoperatively. Aortic valve repair or replacement (AVR/r) was required in seven (1.7%) patients at 13.6 years (IQR: 10.0-15.8) postoperatively. Aortic root replacement (ARR) and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft/coronary patch arterioplasty were required in five (1.2%) patients each at 13.6 years (IQR: 11.0-15.3) and 11.3 years (IQR: 2.3-13.6) postoperatively, respectively. Taussig-Bing anomaly was a risk factor for any reoperation ( P = .034). Risk factors for specific reoperations included ventricular septal defect for AVR/r ( P = .038), Taussig-Bing anomaly for RVOTR ( P = .004), and pulmonary artery banding for ARR ( P = .028). Conclusions: Pantaloon patch pulmonary artery reconstruction and intermittent neo-aortic root distension during coronary reimplantation have minimized respective outflow tract reoperations. Certain anatomic subsets carry different risks for late reoperation, and pulmonary artery and/or RVOT reinterventions tend to occur sooner than aortic reinterventions. Special attention to these higher risk subpopulations will be critical to optimizing lifelong outcomes.

Intrapulmonary artery septation for unilateral absence of the pulmonary artery

We describe a seven-month-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot and an absent left pulmonary artery. Due to the diminutive size of the left pulmonary artery, we performed a native tissue left pulmonary artery reconstruction and intrapulmonary artery septation procedure with a left modified Blalock-Taussig shunt. After confirming left pulmonary artery growth, the patient underwent tetralogy of Fallot repair, removal of septation patch, and division of the Blalock-Taussig shunt. Nine months post-surgery, we confirmed his balanced lung perfusion (R/L ratio 6:4). The intrapulmonary artery septation procedure would be suitable for both the resuscitation and reconstruction of the hypoplastic absent pulmonary artery.