[Bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis in palliative surgical treatment of complex congenital heart defects].

Bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis was used during the past six years for palliative treatment of 34 children with complex cardiac disease with a low pulmonary blood flow and a functional common ventricle. The age at the time of operation was 5 months to 16 years (median 55 months). Two children (5.9%) died soon after operation and one patient died in conjunction with reoperation seven months later. After operation a significant increase of saturation and decrease of the haematocrit occurred in all patients. The condition of 31 patients during an out-patient check-up 2-64 months after operation was satisfactory and postoperative examinations revealed a satisfactory function of the anastomosis.