[Surgical treatment for double outlet of the right ventricle]

To summarize the experience and results of surgical treatment for double outlet of the right ventricle (DORV).

From May 1985 to December 2001, 41 patients with DORV with age ranging from 10 months to 21 (mean age 10 +/- 6) years underwent surgical treatment. There were 26 male and 15 female patients. 14 patients underwent the classical Rastelli procedure (an intraventricular tunnel and a extra cardiac conduit repair); intraventricular tunnel and relive right ventricle outflow tract directly with and with out pericardial patch in 11; and modified Rastelli procedure in 11; total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) in 2; Bidirection cavopulmnary connection in 2; Arterial switch operation in 1. All patients underwent the procedure by cardiopulmonary bypass.

There were 1 early death, 40 patients were discharged without any complication. Thirty-six patients were followed up from 5 months to 17 years. Reoperation in 3, because of residual ventricular septal defect in 1 and left ventricle outflow tract stenosis in 2. All patients were asymptomatic and did well in ordinary life. The cardiac function were in NYHA class I in 34 and class II in 2. The outcome was satisfactory.

Biventricular repair can be achieved in most patients with DORV with satisfactory early and late results, and the late survival was exciting. In complex DORV, a right heart bypass procedure is related to a lower surgical mortality.