Repeated repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Report of 11 cases and review of the literature.

Abstract

Eleven patients underwent late repeated correction of tetralogy of Fallot in 1991-1993. The previous operation was repair of simple Fallot's tetralogy in seven cases, repair plus transannular patch in one case and repair of tetralogy and pulmonic atresia in three cases. The indications for reoperation were residual ventricular septal defect, right ventricular outflow tract (R.V.O.T.) obstraction, residual branch pulmonary artery stenosis, aneurysmal dilatation of R.V.O.T. Patch or combination of any of the above. At reoperation these defects were corrected. The post operative course was uneventful in eight patients. Two required mechanical ventilation for 2-3 days, and one underwent another operation for residual branch pulmonary artery stenosis. The functional and haemodynamic results were good in ten patients, and one had residual distal pulmonary artery stenosis. There were no death during 2 years of follow-up. Repeated correction of tetralogy of Fallot thus had low postoperative morbidity and good haemodynamic results. For the relatively few patients initially found to have tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonic atresia, the outcome may be less favorable.