Aortic translocation procedure: Early outcomes from a single center.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The data on the Nikaidoh procedure is limited in the literature. This study presents our experiential findings with aortic translocation (Nikaidoh) procedure and its modifications.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the data of all the patients who underwent aortic translocation in our institution.

RESULTS

Between September 2014 and November 2018, eight patients underwent aortic translocation surgery. The median age was 3.2 years (14 months and 9 years). The diagnosis was transposition of the great arteries (TGA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in five patients (63%); double-outlet right ventricle (DORV), VSD, and LVOTO in two patients (25%) and DORV and remote VSD in one patient (12%). Additionally, two patients had tricuspid straddling. In terms of surgical procedures, six patients underwent standard Nikaidoh procedures, while one patient underwent double root translocation and one patient underwent a half-turned truncal switch operation. Hospital mortality was recorded for one patient (12.5%). Median intensive care and hospital stay duration was 3 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 2-5 days) and 11 days (IQR: 8-17 days). Median follow-up duration was 10 months (IQR: 10-24 months). One of the patients, who underwent standard Nikaidoh procedure, died in the late follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Aortic translocation procedure is an option for TGA, VSD, and LVOTO patients with a distal VSD or tricuspid straddling and DORV patients with a small VSD. Avoiding the use of a conduit through modifications, such as double root translocation and half-turned truncal switch operation, may decrease the risk of long-term recurrent interventions.