Total cavopulmonary connection in complex congenital heart disease

To evaluate the efficacy of lateral tunnels and extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) on complex congenital heart disease.Methods Six patients underwent lateral tunnels total cavopulmonary connection with autograft pericardium and five patients underwent extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection with 16～22 mm of Gore-Tex conduit.The superior vena cava was connected to the right pulmonary artery and inferior vena cava to the main pulmonary artery in all cases.The TCPC fenestration was used in five patients.The intracardiac frame and defects remained unchanged.Results One patient died postoperatively.Others were alive and well.The cardiac volume load was decreased and hemodynamic was satisfactory.The SpO2 increased from 58%～80% to 92%～95%.Conclusion Lateral tunnels or extracardiac conduit total cavopulmonary connection is a simple and effective procedure.It can effeciently elevate SaO2 and reduce the cardiac volume load of the patients.Complication and mortality rates are low.7 refs,1 tab.