Surgical results of arterial switch operation for Taussig-Bing anomaly: is position of the great arteries a risk factor?

BACKGROUND

A variety of definitive operations have been used to manage patients with double-outlet right ventricle and subpulmonary ventricular septal defect (Taussig-Bing anomaly). This study identifies the impact of the position of the great arteries and use of a staged surgical approach on the outcome after the arterial switch operation in children with Taussig-Bing anomaly.

METHODS

From 1986 through July 2005, 34 patients with Taussig-Bing anomaly underwent the arterial switch operation. The median age at operation was 21 days. Based on position of the great arteries, patients were divided into group I (side by side; n = 16) and group II (anteroposterior; n = 18). Aortic arch obstruction was present in 18 patients (53%), of whom 16 had prior repair with aortic arch reconstruction. Abnormal coronary artery patterns were present in 9 patients (27%).

RESULTS

There were 4 early deaths and 1 late death (3 from group I and 2 from group II). The actuarial survival rate was 85% at 15 years (81% in group I and 89% in group II). Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (mean gradient, 46.0 +/- 5.5 mm Hg) developed in 5 cases (2 from group I and 3 from group II). One patient underwent reoperation for residual aortic arch obstruction. Freedom from reoperation was 80% at 15 years, and thereafter 85% in group I and 75% in group II. Statistical analysis of potential risk factors revealed no significant identifiers for death or need for reoperation between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The arterial switch operation remains our preferred choice of treatment for children with Taussig-Bing anomaly. The position of the great arteries has no effect on postoperative morbidity and mortality. In the presence of aortic arch obstruction, staged arch reconstruction followed soon thereafter by early intracardiac repair has yielded excellent outcomes in our experience.