Total anomalous pulmonary venous return in children and adults. Results of corrective surgery

The operative technique and the early and long term results are described in twenty consecutive patients who have undergone corrective surgery for total anomalous pulmonary venous return over a 12 year period from 1967 to 1979. There was a 15 per cent early mortality which occurred only in children below the age of four. There have been no late deaths. All survivors are leading normal gainful lives. Nine of seventeen have been recatheterised. The abnormality when encountered in children and adults carries a more favourable prognosis than when encountered during infancy.