[Surgical treatment of aorta-pulmonary window]

To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of aorta-pulmonary window.

Between January 1980 and August 2000, 18 patients suffering from aorta-pulmonary window, 11 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 6.5 years (2 approximately 14 years), underwent surgical treatment. Eleven cases were type I, 3 were type II and 4 were type III. Sixteen patients underwent surgical repair under cardiopulmonary bypass at moderate hypothermic temperatures. Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was used in 2 of them. Closed surgical ligation under cardiopulmonary bypass at normal thermic temperature was performed on 1 case. External division and ligation under general anesthesia through left thorax was performed on 1 case. Thirteen patients underwent surgical repair through the anterior wall of aorta. Surgical repair was performed through the anterior wall of pulmonary artery in 3 cases. Other associated malformations were repaired simultaneously.

Three patients died during the peri-operative period. Fifteen patients who survived the operation were followed up for 108 months on average. One patient was noted to have residue shunt on aorta pulmonary window. The other patients showed alleviation of symptoms and improvement of life quality.

Early diagnosis, suitable surgical procedure and prevention and treatment of postoperative complications are the key factors for treatment of aorta pulmonary window.