[Congenital unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery]

Congenital absence of a pulmonary artery is a rare entity often followed by complications. Up to now only two patients have done well after revascularization of the affected lung. We have had the opportunity to operate upon the two youngest patients suffering from an absence of a right or left pulmonary artery. In both cases revascularization of the lung was achieved with the use of a PTFE graft. In the second case, a non previously described technique has been applied successfully. Both children have been doing well up to now. This experience has led us to believe that revascularization of the affected lung should be done even in very young patients and that pulmonary hypertension may regress.