[Surgical treatment of the scimitar syndrome in children, adolescents and adults. A cooperative study of 37 cases].

The authors report the results of a cooperative study of 37 operated cases of the scimitar syndrome. The diagnostic procedures, the operative indications, the surgical indications, the postoperative complications and the long-term outcome were reviewed. The results were disappointing irrespective of the surgical technique that was used (reimplantation of the right pulmonary veins in the left atrium, lobectomy, pneumonectomy). Only 12 patients had a satisfactory postoperative outcome and good long-term results; 21 patients had long-term chronic respiratory failure with a reduced exercise capacity and 4 patients died after surgery. Of the 21 patients with long-term sequellae, 17 had a thrombosis of the anastomosis between the right pulmonary veins and the left atrium; this occurred immediately after surgery.