[Current results of the treatment of transposition of the great vessels. Apropos of a series of 168 cases including 138 physiologic corrections].

This study takes stock of the current results of physiological correction (Mustard's or Senning's operation) in simple transposition of the great vessels, at a time when anatomical corrections, or detranspositions, are developing. Between January 1, 1974 and December 31, 1984, 168 neonates with simple transposition of the great vessels were operated upon and followed up for a mean period of 3.67 years (up to 11 years and 10 months). Thirty of them died before correction (12.7% mortality rate with palliative surgery) and 15 immediately after corrective surgery (11.2%). Among the 111 children who survived corrective surgery, the results were satisfactory in 62.7%, fair in 17.8% and poor in 10.2%; the late mortality rate was 9.3%. Post-correction morbidity mainly consisted of mechanical complications suspected in one-third of the patients (with 3 consecutive deaths) and heart rhythm disorders (50% of patients in this series had abnormal Holter recordings), with predominance of atrial rhythm disorders (regression of sinus rhythm was 3.82% per annum). This, after correction the survival curve underwent an actuarial regression of 1.31% per annum. This primary and secondary morbidity and mortality justifies a switch to anatomical corrections the results of which remain to be fully evaluated.