[Cardiac surgery in the neonatal period. 17 years' experience]

Although the mortality rate with cardiac surgery in the neonatal period has decreased in the last years, due to the development of the neonatal intensive care units and the routinary use of prostaglandins, it remains higher than in whatever other ages. Since october 1967 to may 1984, 321 consecutive cases were operated on. Ages ranged between 12 hours and 31 days. In 301 cases closed cardiac surgery was performed, and cardiopulmonary bypass was employed in the remaining 20 cases. Taking off the mortality rate by periods of time, first (1968-1974), second (1975-1979), third (1980-1984), and by surgical groups (closed and open heart surgery) we found a statistically significant decrease in the mortality rate comparing the results over the time with the current period (1980-1984) having 114 cases of closed surgery and a 27% of mortality rate and 11 cases of open heart surgery with 2 deaths, 18% of mortality rate. Follow up was possible in 184 out of the 203 survivors, representing a 91% with a range between 3 month a 15 years. Medical and surgical management and long term follow up is described.