UTILIZATION OF THE AORTIC FLAP ABOVE THE FACING COMMISSURE IN ARTERIAL SWITCH OPERATIONS

Background: The aortic flap above the facing commissure after removal of the coronary button from the aortic sinus can be utilized for recon struction in an arterial switch operation, Methods: The free flap was used to reconstruct the coronary artery in two cases, as a medially ba sed trapdoor. A rotational flap was inserted into the cut-open right p ulmonary artery to augment the neopulmonary arterial anastomotic site in another case, Results: All patients are doing well at mid term foll ow-up, Conclusions: The indications of each method and reported tricks to avoid coronary artery kinking during an arterial switch operation are discussed.