Short and Mid-term Outcomes of Ductal Graft with Bilateral Pulmonary Banding in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Variants

This study evaluates a novel surgical technique inspired by the hybrid Norwood procedure, which involves ductal graft placement and bilateral pulmonary artery banding. This technique is designed to avoid the high-risk classical Norwood stage 1 operation and to avoid the need for first stage invasive catheter interventions and interstage catheter interventions when ductal stent placement is not feasible in developing countries with limited resources. Between June 2015 and December 2022, 14 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and variants were treated using this procedure at our center. Polytetrafluoroethylene graft was used for ductal graft procedure and polytetrafluoroethylene bands were used for bilateral pulmonary banding. Atrial septectomy was done selectively. Patients with adequate left heart growth underwent biventricular repair and pulmonary debanding. Patients without left heart growth underwent cavopulmonary anastomosis or necessary intermediate surgical revisions. Seven patients out of 14 reached the second stage. Two received biventricular repair, three underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis, and two required repeat palliations other than bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis. Modifications of the Norwood procedure is an ongoing process due to the complex nature of hypoplastic left heart syndrome and variants. As experience grows, the mortality associated with ductal graft and bilateral pulmonary banding procedure may decrease, making this technique an alternative for centers where classical Norwood operation or hybrid palliation is not possible, especially in developing countries with limited resources. We might predict promising outcomes, especially for patients with hypoplastic left heart complex where biventricular repair is expected.