The backflow from the pulmonary circulation for identification of the aortic origin of the bronchial arteries in experimental left single lung transplantation.

The ideal solution to the bronchial healing problems in lung transplant would be the reconstruction of the bronchial arteries at time of transplantation. The problems with this approach are essentially technical being difficult to identify and preserve the bronchial arteries in humans. The purpose of this paper is to report our experience with an experimental model in dog to easily identify and preserve bronchial circulation in single lung transplantation. The technique is based on the preservation during harvesting of the aortic origin of the first five couples of arterial orifices. Identification of the orifice(s) connected with the bronchial circulation is carried out by the backflow which takes place from the pulmonary circulation after organ reperfusion is resumed. The identified orifice(s) is then anastomosed to the descending recipient aorta, tangentially clamped.