Outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair with bovine jugular vein conduit

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of truncus arteriosus repair in patients undergoing Rastelli type truncus arteriosus.

A total of 13 patients (7 males, 6 females; median age 37 days; range, 16 to 60 days) underwent repair of truncus arteriosus using Contegra conduits between January 2011 and March 2 017. P reoperative d iagnosis w as t runcus a rteriosus type 1 (Edwards-Collett) in eight, type 2 in three, type 3 in one, and type 4 in one patient. Contegra conduits used for operations were 14 mm (n=5), 12 mm (n=7), and 16 mm (n=1).

Early death was seen in two patients (15.4%). The median intensive care and hospital stays were 10 (range, 6 to 14) and 20 (range, 14 to 41) days, respectively. The median follow-up was 36 (range, 2 to 66) months. In four patients (31%), the conduit sizes severely increased during follow-up and reached 23 mm in two patients and 20 mm in one patient, and 18 mm in the other patient. Three patients had moderate distal conduit stenosis. Moderate pulmonary insufficiency was detected in four patients and severe pulmonary insufficiency in one patient. Two patients had moderate truncal valve insufficiency and one patient had moderate residual ventricular septal defect. None of the patients needed reoperation.

Contegra conduit is a good alternative for repair of truncus arteriosus in infants; however close follow-up is necessary, as distal conduit stenosis and conduit dilatation may develop.