The aortic translocation (Nikaidoh) procedure: midterm results superior to the Rastelli procedure

Midterm follow-up is analyzed after the aortic translocation (Nikaidoh) procedure, an alternative to the Rastelli procedure for ventriculoarterial discordance, ventricular septal defect, and pulmonary stenosis.

Nineteen patients underwent a Nikaidoh procedure at a median age of 3.3 years (0.9-9.3 years). The native aortic valve was translocated from the right to the left ventricular outflow tract by full (n = 6) or partial (n = 13) mobilization of the aortic root. Seven patients with partial mobilization had the right coronary artery reimplanted as a button. The conal septum was divided in 13 patients. The right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed with either a homograft (n = 4) or a right ventricular outflow tract patch (n = 15). The median follow-up was 11.4 years (0.1-23 years), and the median age at follow-up was 17.4 years (1-30 years). Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and aortic insufficiency were assessed by echocardiography.

One patient died of right coronary arterial ischemia. All remaining patients (95%) survived. The median survival was 13.6 years (longest, 23.0 years). Seven right ventricular outflow tract reoperations were required in 5 patients (6 with obstruction and 1 with pulmonary insufficiency). No reoperations have been performed on the left ventricular outflow tract or aortic valve. No patient had any left ventricular outflow tract obstruction or aortic insufficiency more than mild (mild in 9 patients, trivial in 3 patients, and absent in 6 patients).

Midterm actuarial survival was 95% after the Nikaidoh procedure. Reintervention for the right ventricular outflow tract is more common when valved conduits are used versus valveless reconstruction; however, the Nikaidoh procedure provides complete freedom from important aortic insufficiency and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.