Use of azygos vein as interposition graft for surgical unifocalization of pulmonary blood supply.

Hemodynamic repair in patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, hypoplastic pulmonary arteries with arborization defects, and major aortopulmonary collaterals necessitates prior unifocalization of pulmonary artery blood supply. When direct anastomosis between these collateral vessels and the central pulmonary arteries is not technically feasible, an interposition graft is required. Dacron, polytetrafluoroethylene, and pericardium have been used for this purpose. We describe our experience with the use of azygos vein as an interposition graft in 3 patients who underwent unifocalization of the pulmonary blood supply to the right lung. Our experience suggests that the azygos vein is a useful graft for use in this specific form of unifocalization procedure.