Donor Posterior Atrial Flap Rotation for Left Atrial Cuff Reconstruction in Lung Transplantation

We describe in detail a novel surgical technique for repairing donor anterior left atrial wall defect in vivo by rotating the posterior atrial flap during lung transplantation. This method can safely and effectively address the most common type of donor left atrial cuff defect: the anterior wall defect, with the intact posterior wall, typically retained when the donor heart is also used. During atrial cuff anastomosis in lung transplantation, the excess donor posterior atrial wall is trimmed into an atrial flap. After the posterior wall anastomosis is completed, the atrial flap is rotated 180° and used as a patch for anterior wall reconstruction anastomosis.

After restoring blood flow, the flow rate of the pulmonary vein is normal and smooth as confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. Compared with the traditional patch reconstruction method, the new method effectively reduces the atrial cuff anastomosis time. Our results showed no significant difference in pulmonary vein obstruction after reconstruction. Pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure was significantly lower and pulmonary function improved postoperatively in all groups, with no significant differences among the groups. The new technique provides a feasible strategy for the reconstruction of left atrial cuff defects and can improve the effective utilization rate of donor lungs.