Mid-term Results of Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction using 16-mm Hand-made Trileaflet Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Conduits in Approximately 1-Year-Old Infants

Background: In small children, conduits for right ventricular out ow tract reconstruction are limited because of patient size and conduit resources, particularly in Japan. Methods: Since 2007, we have performed the Rastelli-type procedure using 16-mm hand-made trilea et expanded polytetra uoroethylene (ePTFE) conduits in nine approximately 1-year-old children. e median age and body weight at surgery was 17.3 months (range: 10~22 months) and 8.9 kg (range: 6.8~11 kg), respectively. e patient diagnoses were double-outlet right ventricle (DORV) with pulmonary stenosis (PS) in four, pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCA) in four, and PA/VSD in one patient. All patients had undergone previous surgical procedures, including modi ed Blalock shunt in ve and unifocalization of MAPCA and modi ed Blalock shunt in four patients. Conduit function, re-intervention, and right ventricular function were retrospectively investigated. Results: ere was no early or late mortality. During the median follow-up of 45 months (range: 18~79 months), balloon dilation for conduit stenosis was performed in two patients at 47 and 51 months post surgery, respectively. One of these patients required conduit replacement 27 months a er balloon dilation. Excluding this patient, the most recent echocardiographic pressure gradients of the conduits were 0~20 mmHg in four, 21~40 mmHg in four, and no patient had conduit stenosis with the pressure gradients over 41 mmHg. Conduit regurgitation was trivial in four, mild in two, and moderate in two patients. Conclusion: e Rastelli-type procedure using 16-mm hand-made trilea et ePTFE conduits in approximately 1-year-old infants showed acceptable mid-term results. Conduit stenosis gradually developed over 5~6 years. Balloon dilation for conduit stenosis has the potential to delay conduit replacement without increasing conduit regurgitation.