Name of the Procedure:

Repair of Transposition of the Great Arteries, Aortic Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction (e.g., Jatene Type) with Closure of Ventricular Septal Defect

Summary

This procedure involves correcting a congenital heart defect where the main arteries (aorta and pulmonary artery) are switched. It also includes closing any holes between the heart's ventricles.

Purpose

• Medical Condition: Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with a ventricular septal defect (VSD)
• Goals:
  • Ensure that oxygen-rich blood goes to the body
  • Improve the heart's function
  • Enhance the patient's overall health and quality of life

Indications

• Cyanosis (blue skin from lack of oxygen)
• Poor weight gain in infants
• Shortness of breath
• Diagnosed case of TGA with VSD

Preparation

• Fasting for 8 hours before the procedure
• Adjustment or temporary cessation of certain medications
• Pre-procedure diagnostics such as echocardiograms, chest X-rays, and possible cardiac catheterization

Procedure Description

1. The patient is placed under general anesthesia.
2. A median sternotomy (opening of the chest) is performed.
3. The heart-lung machine is used to maintain circulation.
4. The aorta and pulmonary artery are detached and correctly reattached.
5. The ventricular septal defect is closed using a patch.

6. The heart is restarted, and the chest is closed after ensuring there are no leaks.

   • Tools/Equipment: Heart-lung machine, surgical instruments, patch materials for VSD closure
   • Anesthesia: General anesthesia

Duration

Typically takes 4 to 6 hours.

Setting

Performed in a hospital's operating room, specifically in a cardiac surgical suite.

Personnel

• Cardiothoracic surgeons
• Anesthesiologists
• Perfusionists (heart-lung machine operators)
• Surgical nurses
• Pediatric cardiologists

Risks and Complications

• Common: Bleeding, infection, arrhythmias
• Rare: Stroke, heart block requiring a pacemaker, residual heart defects requiring further surgery

Benefits

• Corrects the blood flow through the heart, allowing oxygen-rich blood to circulate through the body
• Most patients have a normal heart function after full recovery
• Improved growth and development in infants

Recovery

• Intensive care unit (ICU) stay for monitoring immediately after surgery
• Hospital stay for about 1 to 2 weeks
• Follow-up appointments with a cardiologist
• Restrictions on physical activity for a few weeks

Alternatives

• Palliative procedures (e.g., Arterial switch operation) but less definitive than Jatene procedure
• Medications to manage symptoms (though not a cure)
• Heart transplantation in very severe cases

Patient Experience

• During the procedure: Under general anesthesia, so no awareness or pain.
• After the procedure: Pain management medications, some discomfort from the surgical site
• Hospital stay for monitoring and recovery, with gradual improvement in breathing and activity levels