Pulmonary valvulotomy under inflow stasis for isolated pulmonary stenosis

One hundred ten patients were operated upon between 1961 and 1972 for isolated pulmonary stenosis by the inflow stasis technique. Analysis of the preoperative and postoperative clinical and catheterization data define the role of inflow stasis as an acceptable method of pulmonary valvulotomy except in relieving stenosis due to a dysplastic pulmonary valve. Patient ages ranged from 2 days to 36 years. All underwent preoperative catheterization and 69 (63%) were restudied postoperatively. Mean preoperative and postoperative peak systolic gradients were 93 and 23 mm Hg, respectively. Mean valve areas before and after operation were 0.38 and 1.10 cm2/m2. Operative mortality was 3.6% (4 patients), and there was 1 late death. Two of the dead were children 2 and 9 days old, respectively. Four patients required reoperation for residual gradients; 2 had dysplastic pulmonary valves. The overall results were excellent or good in 78%, fair in 15%, and poor in 7%. Patients with dysplatic pulmonary valves were in the poor or fair group, and it is recommended that the inflow stasis technique not be used for this type of pulmonary stenosis. The excellent surgical exposure, adequate time for valvulotomy, low morbidity, and freedom from problems of cardiopulmonary bypass are reasons for continued use of this technique for treatment of selected patients with pulmonary valve stenosis.