[Total cavopulmonary connection using a knitted dacron prosthesis impregnated with gelatin (GELSEAL) as an...

It is important to find a suitable vascular prosthesis as an intracardiac conduit for a total cavopulmonary connection because of the need for long-term patency. A 7-year-old girl with a double outlet of right ventricle, hypoplastic left ventricle, pulmonary atresia and single atrium with azygos connection underwent a total cavopulmonary connection using a knitted dacron prosthesis impregnated with gelatin (GELSEAL) as an intracardiac conduit. Her postoperative course was uneventful. GELSEAL is soft, easy to hand and effective at preventing blood loss. The conduit is also expected to have long-term patency because of good healing with thin and uniform pseudointimal formation. However, long-term patency especially in the right side of the heart is still unknown. She should be followed with close anticoagulant therapy and careful observation.