Prolonged Pleural Effusion Research Articles

Extracardiac Fontan Operation after Late Bidirectional Glenn Shunt

The outcomes of 33 consecutive extracardiac Fontan operations performed between 1999 and 2008 in patients who mostly had initial Glenn shunts beyond infancy were reviewed. Preoperatively, the median oxygen saturation was 76.2% and mean pulmonary artery pressure was 10.5 mm Hg. The median age was 4.1 years at Glenn shunt procedure and 10 years at Fontan operation. The duration of chest tube drainage was longer in these patients than in series where Glenn shunts were created at a younger age. All patients received warfarin for 1 year, then warfarin and/or aspirin. At follow-up (median, 14 months), there was no significant ventricular dysfunction. Median oxygen saturation at the last follow-up was 92%. All patients in sinus rhythm preoperatively continued in this status. There was no Fontan failure or mortality. All patients were in New York Heart Association class I or II, although objective cardiopulmonary exercise evaluation in 8 patients showed impaired exercise tolerance. Despite a trend towards prolonged pleural effusion, there was no adverse outcome in the short or intermediate term. Long-term follow-up is required to see whether delayed creation of a Glenn shunt is associated with late disadvantages.

Results of the modified Fontan procedure are not related to age at operation

The modified Fontan procedure represents the final stage for the palliation of hearts with single-ventricle physiology. Different opinions exist regarding the optimal timing of the operation, with most centres advocating early intervention. By contrast, over the past decade, we have progressively increased the age at Fontan operation with the aim to potentially delay the onset of late Fontan failure, and to possibly use larger extracardiac conduits. We retrospectively reviewed our surgical experience with Fontan operation, to understand the impact of this strategy on morbidity and mortality. Between 1990 and 2008, 65 patients underwent a modified Fontan operation at our institution (extracardiac conduit in 52 and lateral tunnel in 13). The median age at operation in our series was 7.3 years (range: 2.2-15.8 years) and this value was used to divide the study cohort into two groups. Group A (n=28) included patients with an age at Fontan operation <or=7 years, whereas group B (n=37) included patients who had a Fontan operation at >7 years of age. Preoperative characteristics, intra-operative data and short- and medium-term results were assessed. No differences in baseline characteristics, morbidity and mortality were evident between groups. Hospital mortality was 0% in group A and 5.4% (2/37) in group B (p=0.5). Prolonged pleural effusions were present in eight patients in group A (29%) and seven in group B (19%, p=0.39). After a mean follow-up of 5.7+/-5.4 years (range: 0.3-18 years), the overall mortality of group A (1/28) was similar to that of group B (2/37) (3.6% vs 5.4%, p=0.999). The incidence of arrhythmias, protein-losing enteropathy, Fontan take down and re-operation were not different between the two groups. The modified Fontan operation can be performed safely in older patients without affecting operative and medium-term follow-up results. Postponing the extracardiac Fontan operation may have the advantage of the use of a larger conduit.

Robot-Assisted Lobectomy for Early-Stage Lung Cancer: Report of 100 Consecutive Cases

Robotics can facilitate dissection during video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy. This study describes a hybrid minimally invasive lobectomy procedure consisting of two phases: robotic vascular, hilar, and mediastinal dissection, and then VATS lobectomy. Over a 54-month period, 100 consecutive patients with stage I and II (T1 or T2N0, and T1 or T2N1) lung cancer (42 men, 58 women; mean age 65 +/- 8 years) underwent robotic VATS lobectomy. Lobectomies were right upper (29), right middle (7), right lower (17), left upper (31), and left lower (16). Mean operating room time was 216 +/- 27 minutes. Tumor type was adenocarcinoma (57), squamous cell carcinoma (25), 7 adenosquamous carcinoma (7), bronchoalveolar (3), large cell (1), poorly differentiated (3), carcinoid (2), mucoepidermoid (1), spindle cell (1). Pathologic upstaging was noted in 17 patients (10 to stage IIB, 7 to stage IIIA). There was no emergent conversion to a thoracotomy. Median hospitalization was 4 days. Complications included atrial fibrillation (13), atelectasis (5), prolonged air leak (4), pleural effusion (3), pulmonary embolus (3), incisional bleeding (1), hydropneumothorax (1), dural leak (1), liver failure (1), pneumonia (1), respiratory failure (1), and cardiopulmonary arrest (1). There was no intraoperative death. Postoperative mortality was 3%. There were no deaths among the last 80 patients. At a median follow-up of 32 months (range, 1 to 59), 1 patient (1%) died of his cancer, 6 (6%) had distant metastases, and 2 (2%) had a second lung primary cancer. There was no local recurrence. Robotics are feasible for mediastinal, hilar, and pulmonary vascular dissection during VATS lobectomy.

The Modified Fontan Procedure and Prolonged Pleural Effusions

The modified Fontan procedure may be complicated by prolonged pleural drainage. Predisposing factors are not fully understood. This study examines perioperative variables associated with prolonged effusions. We examined the Fontan procedure in 41 patients. Mean age was 45 months (range, 9 to 113 months). Mean weight was 14.7 kg (range, 6.9 to 30.4 kg). Diagnoses included tricuspid atresia in 29 per cent, pulmonary atresia in 12 per cent, and double-outlet right ventricle in 12 per cent. Fontan revisions were excluded. The extracardiac Fontan was performed in 22 patients (54%) and the lateral tunnel (LT) in 18 (44%). Fenestration was performed in 56 per cent. Ten patients (24%) had prolonged pleural effusions. Mean chest tube output (24.2 vs 14.1 mL/kg/d, P < 0.01), days with chest tubes (10.2 vs 5.8 days, P < 0.01), and length of stay (20.8 vs 8.13 days, P < 0.01) were significantly greater in those with effusions. Preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure was higher in patients with prolonged effusions (12.7 vs 9.90 mmHg, P = 0.001). No other factors were identified as risk factors. Prolonged pleural effusions (greater than 14 days) are common after the modified Fontan procedure. A higher preoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure may be predictive of these effusions. Fenestration, type of Fontan reconstruction, and size of extracardiac conduit did not predispose to postoperative effusions.

Application of Pulse Contour Cardiac Output (PiCCO) System for Adequate Fluid Management in a Patient with Severe Reexpansion Pulmonary Edema

We report a case of severe reexpansion pulmonary edema that occurred immediately after reinflation of a collapsed lung by rapid negative pressure drainage of prolonged malignant pleural effusion and pneumohemothorax. Although hemodynamic stability was difficult to maintain under aggressive treatment with inhalation of nitric oxide, inotropics and prostacyclin infusion, conventional pulmonary artery catheterization was not adequate for surveillance and adjustment of fluid therapy. For balancing the preload and the extent of pulmonary edema, pulse contour cardiac output monitoring using a single transpulmonary thermal dilution technique was applied to achieve optimal cardiac preload for organ perfusion and to prevent worsening of pulmonary edema from fluid overload.

Results of an extracardiac pericardial-flap lateral tunnel Fontan operation☆

Extracardiac pericardial-flap lateral tunnel Fontan operation has the theoretical advantage of growth potentiality of the extracardiac tunnels. The mid-term results of this technique and morphologic change of the lateral tunnel were studied. Clinical data were reviewed in 42 patients who underwent extracardiac pericardial-flap lateral tunnel Fontan operation between November 1993 and December 2004. The age was 2.8+/-1.5 years and the body weight was 12.3+/-3.2kg. Extracardiac tunnel was constructed using the pedicled pericardium with the base undetached. By reviewing the follow-up cardiac angiograms (2.3+/-1.4 years postoperatively), ratios of diameter and cross-sectional area of the lateral tunnel to those of inferior vena cava were obtained. There were 4 surgical mortalities (10%). Postoperative morbidity included prolonged pleural effusion in 5 patients and heart block in 1 patient. Follow-up was possible in 37 patients and the follow up duration was 3.8+/-2.2 years. There were two late deaths due to ventricular dysfunction and sudden death of unknown causes. Two patients required reoperation due to subaortic stenosis and stenosis between inferior vena cava and lateral tunnel. In one patient, bradyarrhythmia was observed but there was no thromboembolic complication. Follow-up anteroposterior and lateral diameter ratio were 1.1+/-0.5 and 1.2+/-0.5. The cross-sectional area ratio was 2.6+/-2.3. In 5 patients, fusiform dilatation of the lateral tunnel was observed, but in the remaining patients, the lateral tunnel preserved tubular morphology with good hemodynamics. Extracardiac pericardial-flap lateral tunnel Fontan operation is relatively simple and feasible even in patients with previous median sternotomies. The mid-term results were acceptable, and the lateral tunnel demonstrated a tendency to preserve its tubular shape. However in some patients, dilatation of the pericardial-flap tunnel was observed during follow up. Longer follow-up is required to determine the morphologic changes of the lateral tunnel and the value of this technique.

Robot-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Early-Stage Lung Cancer

Video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy is an accepted oncologic procedure for patients with early-stage lung cancer. We studied the use of the da Vinci surgical robot for mediastinal, hilar, and vascular dissection during video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy in patients with early-stage lung cancer. During a 41-month-period, 61 patients (27 men, 34 women; mean age, 68.2 years) underwent a robot-assisted video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy and complete mediastinal nodal dissection for early-stage lung cancer (stages I, II). Distribution of lobectomies was right upper lobe 14, right middle lobe 6, right lower lobe 9, left upper lobe 21, and left lower lobe 11. Operative times ranged from 3 to 6 hours (median, 4). There were 34 adenocarcinoma, 14 squamous cell carcinoma, 6 adenosquamous, 1 large cell, 2 bronchoalveolar, 2 poorly differentiated cancers, and 2 carcinoid tumors. Pathologic upstaging was noted in 10 patients (8 to IIb, 2 to IIIa). There were no emergent conversions to a thoracotomy. Complications included atrial fibrillation (4), atelectasis (4), prolonged air leak (2), pleural effusion (2), hydropneumothorax (1), and incisional bleeding (1). Mortality was 4.9%. Median hospitalization was 4 days. Follow-up was complete in 54 patients (88%). At a mean follow-up of 28 months, all patients were alive, and 4 had distant metastases. There was no local recurrence. Robot-assisted vascular and nodal dissection during video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer is feasible. Greater experience and long-term follow-up is required to better evaluate patient selection, oncologic efficacy, and comparability with a conventional open approach.

Pulmonary vascular compliance and pleural effusion duration after the Fontan procedure

Background Preoperative risk analysis for Fontan candidates is still less than optimal in that patients with apparently low risks may have a poor outcome, such as prolonged pleural drainage, protein-losing enteropathy, pulmonary thromboembolism and death. We hypothesized that low pulmonary vascular compliance (PVC) is a risk factor for persistent pleural effusion after the Fontan operation. Methods A retrospective review of 85 patients who underwent the extracardiac Fontan procedures (median age: 3.87 years) was performed. Fontan risk score (FRS) was calculated from 12 categorized preoperative anatomical and physiological variables. PVC (mm 2/m 2·mmHg) was defined as pulmonary artery index (mm 2/m 2) divided by total pulmonary resistance (Wood Unit·m 2) and pulmonary blood flow (L/min/m 2), based on the electrical circuit analogy of the pulmonary circulation. Chest tube indwelling time was log-transformed (log indwelling time, LIT) to fit normal distribution, and the relationship between perioperative predictors and LIT was analyzed by multiple linear regression. Results Preoperative PVC, chest tube indwelling time and LIT ranged from 6 to 94.8 mm 2/mmHg/m 2 (median: 24.8), 3 to 268 days (median: 20 days), and 1.1 to 5.6 (mean: 2.9, standard deviation: 0.8), respectively. FRS, PVC, cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPB) and central venous pressure at postoperative 12 h were correlated with LIT by univariable analyses. By multiple linear regression, PVC ( p = 0.002) and CPB ( p = 0.003) independently predicted LIT, explaining 22% of the variation. The regression equation was LIT = 2.744 − 0.016 PVC + 0.007 CPB. Conclusion: Low pulmonary vascular compliance is an important risk factor for prolonged pleural effusion drainage after the extracardiac Fontan procedure.

Subdiaphragmatic venous hemodynamics in patients with biventricular and Fontan circulation after diaphragm plication

Diaphragm paralysis owing to phrenic nerve injury can result in significant morbidity in children undergoing surgical management of congenital cardiac defects. Diaphragm plication is the accepted therapy for diaphragm paralysis. We have investigated subdiaphragmatic venous hemodynamics in patients with biventricular and Fontan circulation after diaphragm plication. Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate flows in the hepatic vein, portal vein, and subhepatic inferior vena cava under respiratory monitoring and with a tilt table. Twenty-nine patients with biventricular circulation were studied: 19 with normal diaphragms and 10 after diaphragm plication. Twenty-eight patients with total cavopulmonary connections after the Fontan procedure were also studied: 19 with normal diaphragms and 9 with plicated diaphragms. Inspiratory/expiratory flow ratios in supine and upright positions were calculated to investigate respiratory effects, and upright/supine flow ratios were calculated to assess gravity effects. In patients with biventricular circulation and normal diaphragms, hepatic venous flow was augmented by inspiration; this effect was reduced in patients with a plicated diaphragm (upright inspiratory/expiratory flow ratios: 2.4 vs 1.4, respectively; P = .01). Portal venous flow was higher during expiration; this effect was lost in patients with a plicated diaphragm (supine inspiratory/expiratory flow ratios: 0.8 and 1.0; P < .05). In Fontan patients with normal diaphragms, hepatic venous flow depended heavily on inspiration. This effect was blunted in patients with a plicated diaphragm (supine inspiratory/expiratory flow ratios: 3.2 vs 2.3; P < .05). Expiratory augmentation of portal flow was absent in Fontan patients with normal diaphragms and reversed in patients a plicated diaphragm (supine inspiratory/expiratory flow ratios: 1.0 vs 1.6; P = .02). Gravity reduced Fontan portal venous flow; having a plicated diaphragm did not alter this effect (upright/supine flow ratios: 0.7 vs 0.7). In patients with biventricular and those with Fontan circulation with a paralyzed diaphragm, plication does not completely restore normal subdiaphragmatic venous hemodynamics. In Fontan patients with a plicated diaphragm, important inspiration-derived hepatic venous flow is suppressed, and portal venous flow loses its normal expiratory augmentation. These flow dynamics share similarities with those observed in patients with failing Fontan circulation. This suboptimal splanchnic circulation may contribute to early problems of prolonged pleural effusions and ascites and potentially may promote late Fontan failure. Phrenic nerve injury should consequently be avoided at all costs before or at the time of the Fontan operation.

Successful Bleomycin Pleurodesis in a Patient With Prolonged Pleural Effusion After Extracardiac Fontan Procedure

Pleural effusions after modified Fontan operations are unpredictable and contribute significantly to the morbidity and prolonged hospitalization. Chemical pleurodesis is widely performed in adults for malignant pleural effusions, but has found less chance of usage for benign cases or the cases with unidentified etiology. Although it is a safe and easily performed procedure, the use of bleomycin for the treatment of pleural effusions in the pediatric age population has been rarely reported in the literature. In this manuscript, we present a case with prolonged pleural effusion after extracardiac Fontan operation, which was successfully treated with bleomycin pleurodesis.

Abstracts for the British Congenital Cardiac Association Annual Meeting: The Barbican, London, 24–25 November 2005: Poster Presentations: Transcatheter closure of ventricle-pulmonary artery communications after cavopulmonary shunt or Fontan procedure

Background: Ventricle-pulmonary artery connections are rare in patients after the Fontan procedure. However, these can cause significant long term problems. Hence the catheter occlusion of the anterograde flow in these patients would be beneficial. Further, in patients with a cavopulmonary shunt anterograde pulmonary blood flow is frequently maintained, but, in some patients, can cause significant volume loading of the heart or can complicate the subsequent Fontan procedure. Objective: To evaluate the use of interventional catheter closure of a ventricle-pulmonary artery communication in the setting of a cavopulmonary shunt or after the Fontan procedure. Patients and methods:This was a retrospective study at a tertiary referral centre. Eight patients (Age: 1.5–18 years, mean 7.8 years) underwent transcatheter closure of a ventricle-pulmonary artery communication. Indications were cardiac failure or persistent pleural effusions after cavopulmonary shunt (n = 2) or after Fontan (n = 3) and abolishing the volume load of the single ventricle prior to Fontan completion (n = 3). Results: Devices used were 17 mm Rashkind Umbrella device (n = 1), Amplatzer PDA device (n = 7) and Amplatzer ASD device (n = 1). One patient required two devices. There were no procedural complications. All 3 patients with prolonged pleural effusions (1 post CP shunt and 2 post Fontan) showed complete resolution of effusions between 4 and 10 days after catheter closure. Two patients underwent transcatheter occlusion for progressive ventricular dilatation and cardiac failure. The first patient was post Fontan and showed gradual improvement in ventricular function. The second patient after CP shunt died 48 hours post intervention (non procedure related cardiac death). Three patients underwent catheter closure to off-load the systemic ventricle prior to the Fontan procedure. The device had to be removed prior to release in 1 patient, due to unsatisfactory position. All 3 patients underwent successful completion of Fontan 6 weeks to 3 months post catheter. Conclusions: Transcatheter closure of ventricle-pulmonary artery communication is a safe and effective technique in the treatment of selected patients after CP shunt or Fontan procedure with early or late complications due to inappropriate pulmonary blood flow. This intervention should also be considered prior to the Fontan procedure in selected patients with ventricular overload.

Avaliação muscular respiratória nas toracotomias e laparotomias superiores eletivas

To identify any possible relation between lower than predicted preoperative respiratory muscle function and the incidence of postoperative respiratory complications and death in elective thoracotomies and laparotomies of the upper abdomen. A prospective cohort study was conducted, in which 70 patients over the age of 18 were monitored in two similar hospitals. In the preoperative evaluation performed at admission, patients were classified as presenting respiratory muscle function (as determined by measurement of maximal respiratory pressures) > 75% of the predicted value (n = 50) or < 75% of the predicted value (n = 20). Patients were monitored until discharge. In both groups, the incidence of pneumonia was determined, as was that of acute respiratory failure, bronchospasm, prolonged mechanical ventilation, atelectasis, pleural effusion, pneumothorax and death. A comparative analysis was made between the groups, and relative risk was calculated. In the study sample, the overall incidence of postoperative complications was 22.86% (16/70): 55% (11/20) in the group of patients presenting < 75% of the predicted value; and 10% (5/50) in the group of patients presenting > 75% of the predicted value. Patients in the < 75% of the predicted value group presented a relative risk of 5.5 (95% confidence interval between 2.19 and 13.82). Respiratory muscle function below the predicted value was found to be related with higher relative risk of postoperative complications in the surgical procedures studied.

Postoperative Chylothorax: Differences Between Patients Who Received Median Sternotomy or Lateral Thoracotomy for Congenital Heart Disease

Chylothorax after surgery for congenital heart disease is rare. We wanted to compare the different presentations of chylothorax in patients who received median sternotomy or lateral thoracotomy. We retrospectively studied pediatric patients with congenital heart disease who received palliative or corrective surgeries and developed postoperative chylothorax between January 1992 and July 2003. Patients were divided into two groups by the type of surgery: median sternotomy and lateral thoracotomy. The average daily fluid amount (mL/kg/24 hours), latency period, duration of chylothorax, and requirement for surgery were compared. Seventeen patients (11 boys, 6 girls; mean age, 14.0 +/- 12.8-month-old) were enrolled. Diagnoses were tetralogy of Fallot (n = 8), right isomerism with complex heart defects (n = 3), patent ductus arteriosus (n = 2), transposition of the great artery (n = 1), ventricular septal defect (n = 1), and endocardial cushion defect (n = 2). There were 9 in the lateral thoracotomy group and 8 in the median sternotomy group. Only one patient required surgery because of the failure of conservative treatment. The lateral thoracotomy group had a significantly lower average body weight (6.9 +/- 2.9 kg vs. 11.0 +/- 3.8 kg) and longer average latency period before postoperative chylothorax (15.1 +/- 9.2 days vs. 7.2 +/- 4.7 days). The majority of pediatric patients who develop chylothorax after cardiac surgery can be successfully managed by medical treatment only. To avoid complications in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery, chylothorax should be suspected for patients with unexplainable, prolonged, and abundant pleural effusion.

Parenchyma-Preserving Surgery in the Management of Pulmonary Hydatid Cysts

Pulmonary hydatid cysts remain a significant health problem in endemic regions like Turkey. Here, we present our surgical experience in patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts. Between January 1985 and January 2001, 1118 operations were performed in 1032 patients (528 males, 504 females; mean age 32.7 years; range 1–87 years) with pulmonary hydatid cysts in our department. Posterolateral thoracotomy was performed in 1015 (98.3%), two-stage thoracotomy in 34 (3.3%), and median sternotomy in 17 (1.7%) patients. We preferred conservative surgical procedures. As a surgical procedure, cystotomy and capitonnage was performed in 626 (56%), cystotomy alone in 368 (33%), wedge resection in 81 (7%), enucleation in 29 (3%), and decortication in 11 (1%) patients. None of our patients were treated with anatomic resection. During surgery, 949 patients (92%) had unruptured and 83 patients (8%) had ruptured hydatid cyst. The morbidity ratio was 6.7%. Major complications were wound infection (2.3%), prolonged air leak (1.9%), atelectasis (1.2%), pleural effusion (0.8%), postoperative hemothorax (0.6%), and empyema (0.3%). Two patients (0.2%) died within the first month postoperatively. Mean follow-up was 31.2 months. Recurrence was detected in only 35 patients (3.3%). Treatment of pulmonary hydatid cyst is primarily surgical. Medical treatment is indicated for recurrent and multiple hydatid cysts postoperatively. Cystotomy alone, or cystotomy and capitonnage, as parenchyma-preserving surgery, is preferred. Radical surgery including pneumonectomy, lobectomy, and segmentectomy should be avoided.

Risk Factors of Prolonged Postoperative Pleural Effusion After Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease, and total correction is the definitive treatment. Chest tube drainage of pleural effusion (PE) is essential after surgery. Prolonged PE (> 7 days) is one of the complications; it may increase hospital stay and the risks of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the possible risk factors for prolonged PE after total correction of TOF. Thirty-seven patients who received total correction of TOF between July 1999 and April 2001 were included in this study. They were divided into 2 groups according to the duration of chest tube drainage for postoperative PE: Group I had postoperative PE < or = 7 days; Group II had postoperative PE > 7 days. Detailed records were taken on patients' demographic characteristics, blood parameters, surgery, electrocardiographic and radiologic data, and angiographic and echocardiographic findings. The data of the 2 groups were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Fisher's exact test. Risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression and model selection. Of the 37 patients, 16 were male and 21 were female. There were 32 patients (86.5%) in Group I and 5 (13.5%) in Group II. Mean patient age at repair was 1.82 +/- 1.29 years (range, 0.53-3.11 years). Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the 2 groups were noted for gender, age at repair, body weight, presence of wound infection, duration on heart-lung machine (bypass time), oxygen saturation before surgery, duration of endotracheal intubation, length of hospital stay, and Nakata index. These risk factors were analyzed by logistic regression and model selection. Two models were set up: Model 1--oxygen saturation before surgery, presence of wound infection, age at repair; Model 2--oxygen saturation before surgery, presence of wound infection. Prolonged PE is a significant morbidity after TOF repair. The risk factors for prolonged PE are gender, age at repair, body weight, bypass time, low oxygen saturation before surgery, wound infection after surgery, duration of endotracheal intubation, length of hospital stay, and Nakata index. Oxygen saturation before surgery and wound infection were major risk factors while age at repair was a confounder.

Paralysis of the phrenic nerve as a risk factor for suboptimal Fontan hemodynamics

The introduction of the Fontan operation for single ventricle physiology was based on the dual principle of the pulmonary blood flow. It is postulated that normal breathing movements are necessary for passive blood flow into the lungs. We compared patients with and without palsy of the phrenic nerve regarding the sufficiency of Fontan hemodynamics. We analyzed 85 consecutive patients, who were available for follow-up after completion of their total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) between February 1992 and February 2003. The median age at TCPC completion was 4.3 (range 1.3-37) years. Sixty were operated on with an extracardiac conduit and 25 with a lateral tunnel. Fifty patients underwent postoperative heart catheterization with contrast angiography. The diagnosis of diaphragm paralysis was made using echocardiography, fluoroscopy and X-ray examination. Surgical diaphragm plication was performed in 13 patients (Four before and nine after Fontan operation) at a median of 2.2 years after the diagnosis. Twenty-one patients developed fixed palsy of the phrenic nerve during a total of 225 operations before and including completion of TCPC. There were no differences in the incidence of phrenic nerve paralysis between small children (aged <3 years) and older patients or between patients with the extracardiac and intracardiac Fontan procedures. There were no differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation. However, prolonged pleural effusions and a hospital stay of longer than 2 weeks were noted more frequently in patients with palsy (P<0.05). During the median follow-up of 4.6 (range: 0.7-11.4) years significantly more patients with phrenic nerve palsy developed chronic ascites compared to those without palsy (8 of 20 vs. 2 of 65; P<0.001). Phrenic nerve palsy was recognized as a risk factor for suboptimal Fontan hemodynamics due to the hindrance of passive venous blood flow. Patients with phrenic nerve palsy have a longer hospital stay and a higher incidence of prolonged pleural effusions and of chronic ascites, than those without. Early diaphragm plication may be favorable to optimize the Fontan circuit in these patients. Completion of the TCPC in patients with diaphragm paralysis should be viewed critically.

INVITED COMMENTARY

INVITED COMMENTARY

Early Outcome After Glenn Shunt and Fontan Palliation and the Impact of Operation During Viral Respiratory Season: Analysis of a 19-year Multi-Institutional Experience

This study was done to investigate the impact of season of operation, age at operation, and surgical era on short-term outcome after single ventricle palliation. One small study suggests that operation during viral respiratory season is associated with prolonged pleural effusion and hospitalization. Single-institution studies also find improved outcomes after the Glenn shunt and Fontan over time, despite operation at a younger age. The Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium (PCCC) database for Fontan (n = 2,713) and Glenn shunt (n = 2,239) performed between 1982 and 2000 was utilized. Death during initial hospitalization and length of stay after each procedure were investigated. Viral respiratory season was defined as the interval of November to March. The mortality rate after Fontan was higher during the viral respiratory season (14 versus 11%, p = 0.03) and in children under age 2 years. Glenn shunt mortality was higher with operation before age of 120 days, but was not affected by operation during viral respiratory season. Age at operation for the Fontan procedure has decreased with declines in hospital mortality (14% to 7%, p < 0.0001) and hospital stay (14 to 11 days, p < 0.0001) comparing 1992 to 1995 with 1996 to 2000. Fontan procedure performed during viral respiratory season is associated with an increased mortality. Short-term mortality and morbidity after the Glenn and Fontan procedures have improved in the recent era. Operation in the youngest age groups may adversely impact mortality.

Impaired systemic ventricular relaxation affects postoperative short-term outcome in Fontan patients

Objectives Systemic ventricular end-diastolic pressure has been used as a predictor of outcome in patients undergoing the Fontan operation. However, this index only evaluates late diastolic function and does not assess active ventricular relaxation during the phase of early diastole, a key component of systemic venous pathway flow. This study sought to examine whether impaired preoperative systemic ventricular relaxation, expressed as the time constant of isovolumic relaxation (tau), affects short-term postoperative outcome in Fontan patients. Methods All patients who underwent Fontan operation between May 1998 and November 2001 were enrolled. Tau was calculated from digitized preoperative systemic ventricular pressure tracings. Standard preoperative invasive indices were also recorded and analyzed. These independent variables were then entered into a multiple stepwise regression model, with length of intensive care unit stay, length of hospital stay, and prolonged pleural effusion as outcome variables. Results Twenty-seven patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Systemic left ventricle predominated, and all patients had undergone prior staged palliation. Extracardiac Fontan was the commonest operative technique. Of the independent variables examined, tau was the only statistically significant predictor of length of intensive care unit stay ( P < .001) and length of hospital stay ( P = .002). None of the independent variables predicted pleural effusion greater than 10 days. Conclusions Tau was the only significant preoperative invasive predictor of short-term outcome in the Fontan patients. This illustrates the importance of systemic ventricular relaxation and highlights the need for a more comprehensive assessment of diastolic function before the Fontan operation.

The modified fontan procedure: early and late results in 132 adult patients

Objective The modified Fontan procedure, usually performed in children, is used for the treatment of anomalies with a single functional ventricle. We reviewed our experience with the modified Fontan procedure performed in the adult patient. Methods Between October 1973 and May 2001, the modified Fontan procedure was performed on 132 adult patients (74 men, 58 women). Median age was 23 years (range, 18 to 53 years). Diagnoses included tricuspid atresia in 34 patients (26%), double-inlet left ventricle in 48 (36%), and complex lesions in 50 (38%). The majority of patients (89%) had at least one prior palliative procedure; the most common procedures were Blalock-Taussig shunt in 85 patients and Glenn anastomosis in 31. Results Operations included an atriopulmonary connection in 74 patients, lateral tunnel in 27, intra-atrial conduit in 14, right atrium-to-right ventricle in 9, extra-cardiac conduit in 3, and other in 5. Overall early mortality was 8.3%. Mortality was 6.5% for operations performed after 1980. This is comparable to the mortality of the modified Fontan procedure performed in children during the same time interval at our institution. All 7 of the early deaths since 1980 occurred in the complex lesion group. Morbidity included prolonged pleural effusion in 36 patients, atrial arrhythmias in 25, reoperation for bleeding in 13, permanent pacemaker in 8, and stroke in 2. Mean follow-up was 9.1 years with a maximum of 21.2 years. Actuarial survival for early survivors was 89% (84,95), 75% (67,84), and 68% (58,79) at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Freedom from late reoperation was 89% (83,95), 85% (78,93), and 80% (70,91) at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. The majority (90%) of present survivors were New York Heart Association class I or II at follow-up. Conclusions In properly selected adult patients with functional single ventricle, the modified Fontan procedure can be performed with early mortality similar to younger patients. Early mortality is more likely with complex lesions. The majority of late survivors have a good quality of life.