BACKGROUND:
Opinions regarding the optimal time for the repair of tetralogy of Fallot vary. A debate also exists about the timing of repair for the asymptomatic infant.
METHODS:
This study included 183 patients with tetralogy of Fallot. All patients were subjected to clinical examination with measurement of oxygen saturation, 12-lead ECG, plain chest x-ray, and complete laboratory investigation. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation were indicated if there was an inability to reach diagnosis by echocardiography, suspicion of coronary anomaly, evaluation of distal pulmonary arteries or suspicion of major aorto-pulmonary collaterals. Complete repair was done in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups for comparison. Group 1 (147 patients, one-year-old or less), and Group 2 (36 patients older than one year).
RESULTS:
Three patients died in Group1 (2.04%) while there was no early mortality in Group 2 patients. Six patients in Group 1 (4.08%) were reoperated for significant residual or recurrent right ventricular outflow stenosis, three patients (2.04%) were reoperated for residual significant shunt, and three patients (2.04%) were reoperated for residual significant stenosis and residual significant shunt. That is in addition to three patients (2.04%) who had significant tricuspid regurgitation, three more patients (2.04%) who needed a permanent pacemaker implantation, and nine patients (6.1%) who had significant postoperative pulmonary valve regurgitation. On the other hand, for Group 2 patients, there were only three patients who were reoperated for postoperative restenosis and significant shunt, three patients who were reoperated for permanent pacemaker implantation, and another two patients who had insignificant restenosis to be followed up.
CONCLUSIONS:
Early complete tetralogy of Fallot repair can be accomplished with a low mortality.