[Long-term results of the Blalock-Taussig shunts].

One-hundred and thirty-six patients received the classical Blalock-Taussig shunts between 1980 and 1990. Their age range at operation was 4 days to 12.8 years and their median age was 13 months. The operative mortality rate was 0.7% (1/136). The survivors were followed up from 1 month to 11.5 years, 5.4 years in average. Twenty-five patients required another shunt and the mean interval to that procedure was 2.4 years (modified Blalock-Taussig 23, classical Blalock-Taussig 2, Glenn 1, internal mammary artery-pulmonary artery shunt 1). Forty-five patients received corrective operations, there were four operative deaths (Fontan 2, Rastelli 2). There were 15 late deaths of which three deaths were not cardiogenic. One year after operation, 91.0% of patients remained in well-palliated condition. At three years after operation, 76.4% of patients continued to be in well-palliated condition. There were twelve neonates in this series. Their age range was 4 to 26 days and their median age was 13 days. There was no operative death. Five patients required second shunt. There were two late deaths. At present, six patients continue to be in well-palliated condition 8 months to 9 years after first operation. Angiographic findings showed the stenotic change of the vascular anastomoses in 49.3% (35/71) of patients. This study suggests that polydioxanone suture (PDS) will be useful for the growth of the anastomoses in Blalock-Taussig operation.