Bi-directionalGlenn Shunt As a palliative procedure for Univentricular Hean Kasr ELAinI Experience

Abstract

Bi-directional Cavopulmonary procedure has gained a wide application and considered the palliation of choice for patients with univentricular heart presented above 6 months of age at the Children Hospital of Cairo University. In this study, we reviewed the literature and covered the surgical aspect for the application of this venous shunt, including the criteria of patients, surgical techniques, complications and outcome. We also discussed the optimum timing, the criteria and changes in our techniques encountered during this study with the aim to improve the outcome and reduce the morbid complications namely pleural effusion and superior vena caval syndrome. In this study, we have 57 patients with univentricular heart who

underwent cavopulmonary shunt in the period between October 1996 till January 2000. Patients were divided into Group I (28 patient) in which no augmentation patch was placed at the ventral aspect of the superior cavopulmonary connection. Group II (29 patient) in which an augmentation patch was included at the anastomotic line and other surgical and postoperative maneuver were applied to improve the outcome.