Related Experiment Videos
Surgical excision of primary cardiac tumours in infancy
P D Skillington1, W J Brawn, B D Edis
1Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Surgical resection of primary cardiac tumors in infants under six months old demonstrated excellent short- and long-term outcomes without mortality. However, patients with rhabdomyoma require monitoring for potential tuberous sclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Primary cardiac tumors are rare in infants.
- Surgical intervention is often necessary for symptomatic relief, particularly in cases of outflow tract obstruction.
Observation:
- A 7-year study reviewed six infant cases (under 6 months) of primary cardiac tumors requiring surgical excision.
- Indications for surgery included outflow tract obstruction; echocardiography became sufficient for pre-operative evaluation.
- Two patients were neonates; one had co-existent congenital heart disease.
Findings:
- Complete surgical resection was achieved in most cases without mortality or significant complications.
- In one case, residual tumor due to vital structure attachment did not necessitate re-operation.
- Satisfactory short- and long-term cardiac outcomes were observed post-resection.
Implications:
- Surgical excision is a safe and effective treatment for primary cardiac tumors in infants.
- Rhabdomyoma cases warrant anticipation of potential later development of symptomatic tuberous sclerosis in 50% of patients.
- Early diagnosis and surgical management can lead to favorable cardiac outcomes in affected infants.
Abstract:
Six cases of primary cardiac tumour have been operated upon in a 7 year period from 1 June 1979 until 1 June 1986. All patients were under 6 months of age at the time of operation and two of the patients were in their first week of life. The principal indication for surgery was obstruction mainly at the right or left ventricular outflow tract level. More recently echo evaluation alone has been adequate to define the problem prior to surgery. Surgical excision has been performed without mortality or significant complications. In most cases resection has been complete, although in one case residual tumour has been left because of attachment of the tumour to vital structures. Follow-up of this case has not resulted in further surgery being required because of regrowth of the tumour. In one case, with co-existent congenital heart disease, the tumour was brought to notice after palliative systemic to pulmonary artery shunt had been performed. From the cardiac view point gratifying results have been obtained both in the short and long term following surgical resection. However, for patients with rhabdomyoma, later development of symptomatic tuberosclerosis should be anticipated in 50% of cases.