Surgical ablation of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome in children and young adults.

From 1988 to 1991, nine patients with structural normal heart, aged 10 to 23 (median 13 years), Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome patients were operated at National Taiwan University Hospital. The diagnosis was established by surface electrocardiograms recorded during sinus rhythm and tachycardia, and by complete cardiac electrophysiologic studies. The location of accessory pathways (AP) were: 4 left lateral, 3 right lateral, 1 right posteroseptal and 1 right anteroseptal AV groove. In all 6 patients with manifest WPW syndrome, the location of AP could be correctly predicted by the surface EKG delta wave polarity. In all 9 patients with WPW syndrome, intraoperative epicardial and endocardial mappings confirmed their location. Wide endocardial dissection were undertaken. No surgical morbidities or mortality was encountered except in one case which developed transient postpericardiotomy syndrome. During the follow-up (2 to 4 years), all of them were in sinus rhythm, drug free and tachycardia free. In conclusion, (a) the sites of AP and the arrhythmia mechanisms can be reliably predicted by surface EKG and catheter mapping techniques; (b) surgical cure of supraventricular tachycardia could be achieved safely in children; and (c) surgical ablation still is indicated when catheter ablation is unsuccessful, or when coexistent complex cardiac pathology requires surgical intervention in small children.