[Polytetrafluoroethylene vascular prostheses and patches in pediatric cardiac surgery].

The author reviews the indications for the use of vascular grafts, patches, membranes and stitches from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in pediatric cardiac surgery. Vascular grafts are used for construction of arterial shunts in neonates with complex cyanotic heart defects, for palliative reconstruction of interrupted aortic arch, for construction of extraanatomic aortic by-pass and total cavopulmonary connection. The PTFE patches are suitable for closure of septal defects, plastic reconstruction of the right and the left ventricular outflow tracts, correction of coarctation of the aorta and plastic repair of stenoses on the main pulmonary artery and its branches. PTFE stitches can be used for plastic reconstruction of atrioventricular valves. Membranes represent very good pericardial substitutes after complex surgeries with valve replacement or the use of a valved conduit, where reoperation must be suspected. In neonates and small children with signs of heart failure after surgery, it is possible to use PTFE membranes for transient wound cover when the chest is left opened.