In simple words: The doctor places bands around the arteries that carry blood to the lungs. This helps control blood flow and pressure in the heart and lungs, especially in babies with certain heart problems.This is often the first step in a series of operations to fix the heart.

This procedure involves placing bands, typically made of umbilical tape, around both the right and left pulmonary arteries. This reduces blood flow from the left to the right side of the heart, alleviating or preventing congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.It is often a part of a series of staged procedures to correct complex congenital heart defects.The procedure typically begins with a left anterior or left lateral thoracotomy, preserving the sternum for future procedures. The surgeon then exposes the main pulmonary artery (MPA) and aorta, and prepares the bands.After dissecting the tissue between the aorta and MPA, the band is passed through the transverse sinus to encircle both vessels.The aortic end of the band is then advanced between the aorta and MPA.The incision is then closed, and bleeding is checked.

Example 1: A newborn is diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect requiring staged repair. Pulmonary artery banding is performed as the first stage to stabilize the patient's condition., An infant with excessive blood flow to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension undergoes pulmonary artery banding to reduce pressure and improve heart function., As part of a hybrid approach to complex heart defect repair, a cardiac surgeon and interventional cardiologist work together to place pulmonary artery bands as the initial stage of the corrective procedure.

Documentation should include operative report detailing the approach, band placement, and any intraoperative findings. Preoperative and postoperative diagnoses, including the specific heart defect, should also be documented.