Gordon Cohen

Management of pulmonary venous obstruction after correction of TAPVC: risk factors for adverse outcome

OBJECTIVEnRecurrent pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO) occurs in 0-18% of infants undergoing correction of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). Limited published data suggest that PVO usually develops within 6 months of primary repair, and that outcomes of reoperations are poor. This study aimed to review our experience of reoperations for PVO post-TAPVC repair and to identify risk factors for adverse outcome.nnnMETHODSnTwenty patients underwent reoperation for PVO between 1982 and 2002. Clinical data were reviewed. TAPVC was mostly infracardiac (11 patients). TAPVC was obstructed in nine patients. PVO developed early (<6 months) in seven patients, and late in 13 (>6 months). Time of presentation was unrelated to type of PVO (anastomotic vs. ostial). Repair was accomplished using various techniques (anastomotic enlargement with native atrial tissue, enlargement with pericardium, free or in situ, or other prosthetic material). Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 15 years (average 44 months).nnnRESULTSnThirteen patients received one reoperation, while seven had multiple reoperations. In 13 patients, PVO was defined as new onset (no obstruction post-TAPVC repair), and in seven patients as residual (minimal obstructive changes post-TAPVC repair that progressed to PVO). Ten patients presented with anastomotic PVO, six with anastomotic and ostial PVO (involving the PVs), three with ostial PVO, and one with coronary sinus-left atrial junction stenosis. Mortality was 25% (5/20). Six of the ten patients with anastomotic PVO underwent one reoperation (2/6 died); the other four developed ostial PVO after reoperation, requiring multiple procedures (2/4 died). Mode of presentation (new onset vs. residual), site of obstruction (anastomotic vs. ostial), preoperative RV pressure (<0.8 vs. >0.8 systemic), number of reoperations (single vs. multiple), residual obstruction (presence or absence), and operative approach (Gore-tex or not) did not seem to affect outcomes. Risk factors for death were early presentation (<6 months) and persistence of pulmonary hypertension after reoperation; early presentation was also a risk factor for multiple reoperations.nnnCONCLUSIONSnOur findings support the conclusion that early presentation and postoperative pulmonary hypertension have the greatest adverse impact on outcome. Of these, failure to achieve a low-pressure pulmonary vascular system seems to be the variable that most strongly prevents survival. In our series, neither ostial PVO nor multiple re-interventions significantly increased surgical risk. The negative impact of postoperative residual obstruction on outcome was not striking. However, an aggressive surgical approach to this disease is still warranted. Although the role of each technique in obtaining long-lasting relief of PVO remains to be established, the use of artificial material seems unwise.

Urokinase in the treatment of childhood empyema

Thomson et al reported the first double blind placebo controlled study of intrapleural urokinase for the treatment of childhood empyema.1 They found a statistically significant reduction in hospital stay in the treatment group and concluded that “urokinase is a successful adjunct to the management of parapneumonic empyema”.nnThe primary management of childhood empyema is controversial with some groups advocating open decortication.2 However, because of reports of wound infection, air leaks and bleeding in open decortication, there has been an increase in the potential for video assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) as primary treatment for childhood empyema.3 We have recently reported our experience in 21 …

Management of complex tracheo-aortic fistula following neonatal tracheal reconstruction

We describe an unusual case of tracheo-aortic fistula, which occurred after tracheal surgery and tracheal stenting. The management of this complex case and the surgical technique used for repair are discussed and illustrated. Repair of the aortic arch was accomplished using a modified technique of regional low-flow perfusion, similar to that described for neonatal aortic arch reconstruction. This strategy allowed maintenance of cerebral, myocardial, and systemic perfusion during arch repair, thus avoiding total circulatory arrest.

Traumatic disruption of the ascending aorta in a child after heart transplant

We report a traumatic disruption of the ascending aorta in an 8-year-old boy who had undergone orthotopic cardiac transplant at 6.5 years of age for congenital heart block and dilated cardiomyopathy. At presentation his aortic injury was not immediately recognized, but persistence in identifying and confirming a suspicious aortic rupture was lifesaving.