A palliative operation for all types of aortic arch interruption in the neonate

A palliative operation is described for the treatment of infants with all types of aortic arch interruption without regard to anatomic variation. It consists of establishment of continuity between the main pulmonary artery and descending thoracic aorta with a prosthetic graft, pulmonary artery banding distal to the graft, and ligation of the closing ductus arteriosus. Infant mortality rate in the past has been high, rega-dless of the type of operation used. The method of treatment described in this report is one in which an initial palliative operation is employed in the newborn period with total correction planned at a later date, when the risk of morbidity and death will be less.