[Fontan procedure after pulmonary artery banding--surgical results and new anatomical repair for tricuspid atresia].

We examined our surgical experiences to determine the appropriate condition of pulmonary artery banding (PAB) for the Fontan procedure. From 1974 through 1992, thirteen patients underwent Fontan procedure following PAB at Tokyo Women's Medical College. Of these 6 had tricuspid atresia (TA), 5 had single ventricle, or 2 had other complex malformations. PAB was performed at the age of 1 to 14 months (mean 2.5 months). With monitoring pulmonary artery (PA) pressure and systemic arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), PA mean pressure decreased 43.6 to 18.8 mmHg and PA circumferences at the banding site decreased from 53.5 to 26.0 mm after PAB. This degree of PAB was tighter compared with the value estimated by Trusler's formula (27.9 mm) in most patients. After PAB, 5 patients required 8 additional palliative surgery including 3 systemic to pulmonary shunt, 3 rebanding, 1 palliative RVOTR to promote development of pulmonary vascular bed and 1 atrial septectomy to prevent pulmonary hypertension. Hemodynamic data before Fontan operation showed a tendency of higher PA pressure (17.5 vs 31.5 mmHg), and pulmonary vascular resistance (2.4 vs 5.5 Wood Unit) in non-survivors than in survivors. For patients with tricuspid atresia and high pulmonary vascular resistance, a new operation "Anatomical Repair" utilizing hypoplastic right ventricle with the translocation of pulmonary or aortic valve in tricuspid position was developed and successfully applied in three patients. In conclusion, initial tight PAB during early infancy and often repeated palliative surgery for development of adequate pulmonary vascular bed is the most important for maximizing the chance of subsequent successful Fontan procedure.