Use of silicone rubber to facilitate shunt takedown

The takedown of systemic-pulmonary artery shunts at the time of corrective operation is time-consuming and potentially dangerous because of adhesions at the previous operative site. A method of facilitating shunt takedown is described in which a strip of silicone rubber is used to surround the subclavian artery or polytetrafluoroethylene graft interposed between the subclavian artery and the pulmonary artery. The ends of the strip are left loosely attached to the anterior mediastinum so that an adhesion-free plane is left between the strips down to the shunt. The experience of the Yale University School of Medicine with this technique in 14 patients is described. Five underwent reoperation, at which time the silicone rubber strip facilitated access to the shunt and shunt takedown.