The Contegra conduit which is a bovine internal jugular vein
with a valve, is used for reconstruction of the right ventricular
outflow tract in congenital cardiac malformations. We hereby
describe the long term results of using a small diameter 12-16
mm Contegra conduits.
Methods
From October 2000 to May 2014 we have operated on 39
patients that Contegra conduits were used for reconstructing
their right ventricular outflow tract. Eighteen were males and 21
females at mean age of 2.1 +- 2.8 years (range from 13 days
to 13 years). Twenty four patients had 12 mm Contegra, nine
patients had 14 mm, and six patients had 16 mm.
One patient was a tourist, and was lost for follow up.
The mean follow up period for all the other 38 patients was
7 +- 4 years (range 7 months - 14 years).
Results
There was one perioperative death (2.5%). There were 5 late
deaths (13%), with a mean interval of six months from the
time of the operation (range 4 months-9 months). Only one
death seems to be related to the Contegra, due to early failure.
The survival rate at 5 and 10 years was 87+-4 and 84+- 3%
respectively. Three patients needed re-operation for Contegra
stenosis at mean interval of 7 years (range 3-11 years). They
had replacement of their Contegra with a larger diameter of the
same conduit. The re-operations were done without mortality.
The rate of freedom from re-operation at 5 and 10 years was
93+- 3 and 90 +- 4% respectively.
There were two cases of bacterial endocarditis (5%) treated with
antibiotics only.
Conclusions
The usage of the Contegra conduit is safe and reproducible.
The Contegra conduit is “ready on the shelf” product, available
In small diameters of 12-16 mm which are the most challenging
sizes in congenital cardiac surgery. We found a low rate of
bacterial endocarditis treated with antibiotics only, and a low
rate of periopertive mortality.
The good survival rate at 5 and 10 years, the freedom from re-
operation and the much cheaper price of Contegra compare to
homograft, which is the only other option in these diameters,
makes it an attractive option when dealing with right ventricular
outflow tract reconstruction.
