BACKGROUND: Intrapulmonary tunnel repair, called the Takeuchi technique, is a unique procedure for repairing anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). Since 1986, we have clearly defined the indication for the Takeuchi technique based on the location of the left coronary artery (LCA) orifice. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1986 to 2011, 19 consecutive patients with ALCAPA underwent surgical repair; the dual-coronary system was reconstructed in 16 of these patients with either Takeuchi (n=9: 1 male; median age 14.7 years; median weight 42.7 kg) or a translocation procedure (n=7, 3 males; 0.4 years old, 5.6 kg). Takeuchi was performed in patients whose LCA arose far from the aorta (middle of posterior facing sinus in 3 patients, left side of posterior facing sinus in 2, non-facing sinus in 4). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 7.4±6.1 years in the Takeuchi group and 9.3±8.5 years in the Translocation group. Actuarial survival rate at 10 years was 87.5% and 71.4%, respectively, and the freedom from either reoperation or re-intervention rate at 10 years was 67.7% and 85.7%, respectively. All the patients who died had a preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction≤30%. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome of the Takeuchi technique was acceptable. Although late reoperation and/or re-intervention cannot be disregarded, Takeuchi can be recommended when the LCA arises far from the aorta.
BACKGROUND: Intrapulmonary tunnel repair, called the Takeuchi technique, is a unique procedure for repairing anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). Since 1986, we have clearly defined the indication for the Takeuchi technique based on the location of the left coronary artery (LCA) orifice. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1986 to 2011, 19 consecutive patients with ALCAPA underwent surgical repair; the dual-coronary system was reconstructed in 16 of these patients with either Takeuchi (n=9: 1 male; median age 14.7 years; median weight 42.7 kg) or a translocation procedure (n=7, 3 males; 0.4 years old, 5.6 kg). Takeuchi was performed in patients whose LCA arose far from the aorta (middle of posterior facing sinus in 3 patients, left side of posterior facing sinus in 2, non-facing sinus in 4). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 7.4±6.1 years in the Takeuchi group and 9.3±8.5 years in the Translocation group. Actuarial survival rate at 10 years was 87.5% and 71.4%, respectively, and the freedom from either reoperation or re-intervention rate at 10 years was 67.7% and 85.7%, respectively. All the patients who died had a preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction≤30%. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome of the Takeuchi technique was acceptable. Although late reoperation and/or re-intervention cannot be disregarded, Takeuchi can be recommended when the LCA arises far from the aorta.