Procedure

Neonatal coarctation repair using extended end-to-end anastomosis

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna Medical School, Via Massarenti n. 9, 40138 Bologne, Italy

^* Corresponding author: Tel.: +39-051-6363156; fax: +39-051-6363157 gaetano.gargiulo{at}aosp.bo.it

Aortic coarctation without associated intracardiac lesions, with or without posterior arch hypoplasia referred as simple coarctation, is safely and effectively repaired via left posterolateral thoracotomy, whereas median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass are necessary for aortic arch reconstruction in case of complete aortic arch hypoplasia, or coarctation with associated cardiac lesions. There is a wide variety of techniques currently proposed to repair neonatal coarctation, all reported associated with very low operative mortality, nevertheless which one would be the best technique in terms of minimal rate of residual or recurrent obstruction or late complications is still under debate.

Key Words: Aortic arch hypoplasia • Aortic coarctation • Coarctation repair • Neonatal