Best Doctor List Near You for Lecompte Maneuver in Dover

The LeCompte maneuver is a surgical technique used in the management of complex congenital heart defects, particularly in cases of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) with associated conditions such as ventricular septal defect (VSD). Named after Dr. LeCompte, this maneuver involves repositioning the aorta and pulmonary artery during surgery to correct the abnormal blood flow patterns caused by TGA. The procedure typically involves re-implanting the aorta and pulmonary artery into their correct anatomical positions, ensuring that oxygen-poor blood is directed to the lungs for oxygenation, and oxygen-rich blood is sent to the rest of the body. The LeCompte maneuver is generally performed as part of an arterial switch operation, which corrects the transposition by switching the positions of the aorta and pulmonary artery and re-routing the associated blood vessels. This maneuver is critical for ensuring that the heart's blood flow is normalized and that the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood are properly circulated. The need for the LeCompte maneuver arises from congenital heart defects such as TGA, where the aorta and pulmonary artery are incorrectly positioned, leading to inefficient blood oxygenation and circulation. Symptoms that may prompt the need for this maneuver include severe cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin), difficulty breathing, fatigue, and failure to thrive in infants. These symptoms occur because the abnormal circulation limits the amount of oxygenated blood reaching the body. By correcting the positioning of the arteries, the LeCompte maneuver helps restore normal blood flow, improves oxygenation, and alleviates symptoms associated with TGA and other related defects.