[Two successful surgical cases of total left anomalous pulmonary venous connection with intact atrial septum--a report on their operative procedures and approaches].

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is often associated with other congenital heart diseases. Atrial septal defect, particularly, appears in about ninety percent of patients with PAPVC. Successful repairs were made in two patients of total left PAPVC with intact atrial septum. In one patient, left thoracotomy was made, and the vertical vein was anastomosed to the left atrial appendage. Cardiopulmonary bypass was not used in this case. In the other patient, median sternotomy was made, and the vertical vein was anastomosed to the posterior wall of the left atrium under cardiopulmonary bypass. Although postoperative prognosis are excellent sofar in both cases. We consider that the latter operative procedures are preferable for PAPVC not associated with atrial septal defect. In the present paper, the detailed operative procedures and approaches for these two cases are reported, and the concerning literatures are discussed.