Combined approach for a left pneumonectomy and carinal reconstruction.

Tumor involving the carina is a real challenge to thoracic surgeons due to the complexity of airway reconstruction and management. Carinal resection is a safe procedure in highly selected patients with acceptable morbidity and mortality and good long-term survival. A 32-year-old lady with adenoid cystic carcinoma arising from the left main bronchus underwent carinal pneumonectomy using a combined thoracotomy and midline sternotomy approach without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.

Safe Decompression of the Right Ventricle for PAIVS in Neonates With Coronary Fistulae: Including the Selective Use of Fistula Ligation to Avoid Coronary Steal.

BACKGROUND: There are a number of surgical and interventional treatment options for infants with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS). In our practice, we characterize coronary fistulae and interruptions with angiography in the newborn and have developed a strategy to safely decompress the right ventricle in association with ligation of fistulae if necessary. METHODS: All infants operated for PAIVS at age < 60 days from 1999 to 2018 were retrospectively studied. Pre- and postoperative variables were collected, angiograms were reviewed, and a territory score was created to grade the severity of coronary abnormalities. This study focused on the subgroup of patients who had early surgical decompression of the right ventricle. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 8.6 years. Of these, 55 (71%) had coronary fistulae, including 28 (36%) with coronary artery interruption. Right ventricular decompression (RVD) was performed in 47 (60.5%) patients. There was no 30-day mortality in those who underwent RVD, whereas 6 (20%) without RVD died within 30 days (P = .003). Ten-year survival was 97.8% and 73.3% for RVD and non-RVD, respectively. In order to prevent coronary steal, 17 patients underwent coronary fistula ligation as their RV was decompressed with 100% early and late survival. CONCLUSION: Early and late survival in infants with PAIVS is better if the RV can be decompressed. Coronary fistula ligation with RVD has been introduced without an adverse outcome in selected patients with large fistulae.

Bentall’s Procedure in Pediatric Mixed Connective Tissue Disease Syndrome: Management of Pediatric Aortic Aneurysm - A Brief Review.

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) syndrome in children may lead to large aortic aneurysms, which in turn pose a difficult surgical problem. Valve-sparing root replacement is not always a viable option as the disease process invariably affects the aortic valve leaflets. Among pediatric patients, the Ross procedure is contraindicated on account of weakness of the pulmonary root, while Bentall surgery is the 'gold standard' treatment of aortic aneurysm, with reproducible and excellent long-term results. The case is presented of a three-year-old girl with a large thoracic aortic aneurysm in whom Bentall's surgery was performed, with a good result. The present patient, with MCTD syndrome, was too young to have undergone aortic root replacement with a composite mechanical valved graft.