[One-stage repair of interrupted aortic arch with ventricular septal defect]

Three neonates with type A interrupted aortic arch were successfully repaired through a median sternotomy incision during profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest in the past one year. Two aortic cannulas, a small plastic one (Cardicorp) in the ascending aorta and a long one inserted through the pulmonary artery and patent ductus arteriosus into the descending aorta. Two Pacifico's venous cannulas were inserted into superior and inferior vena cavae respectively. No dissection and encircling were required around three major branches from the aortic arch and both right and left pulmonary arteries. During a cooling phase a large ventricular septal defect was closed followed by circulatory arrest. It was possible to resect a patent ductus arteriosus and mobilize the descending thoracic aorta for anastomosis to the side of the ascending aorta without removal of the aortic cannula in the aorta. New instruments and development of cardiopulmonary bypass could bring a successful one-stage repair of interrupted aortic arch with ventricular septal defect more safely and easily than before.