Kawashima procedure
Kawashima Procedure
The Kawashima Procedure (pronunciation: kah-wah-shee-mah) is a surgical procedure used in the treatment of certain complex congenital heart defects. It is named after the Japanese surgeon, Takashi Kawashima, who first described the procedure.
Etymology
The term "Kawashima Procedure" is derived from the name of the surgeon who first described the procedure, Dr. Takashi Kawashima. The term "procedure" comes from the Latin procedere, meaning "to go forward".
Definition
The Kawashima Procedure is a type of palliative surgery used to improve blood flow to the lungs in patients with certain complex congenital heart defects. These defects include conditions where both the left and right pulmonary arteries are not connected to the heart, such as pulmonary atresia and tricuspid atresia with transposition of the great arteries.
Procedure
In the Kawashima Procedure, the surgeon connects the superior vena cava (SVC) to the right pulmonary artery, and the inferior vena cava (IVC) is left connected to the heart. This allows oxygen-poor blood from the upper body to flow directly to the lungs, bypassing the heart. The blood from the lower body still flows to the heart, where it can be pumped to the lungs.
Related Terms
- Congenital heart defect: A problem with the structure of the heart that is present at birth.
- Palliative surgery: Surgery that is performed to alleviate symptoms, but not to cure the disease.
- Pulmonary atresia: A condition in which the pulmonary valve does not form properly, resulting in a lack of blood flow to the lungs.
- Tricuspid atresia: A condition in which the tricuspid valve does not form properly, resulting in a lack of blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle.
- Transposition of the great arteries: A condition in which the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Kawashima procedure
- Wikipedia's article - Kawashima procedure
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