[A case report of correction for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in adult--usefulness of the superior approach].

In the repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), some reports suggest that atrial arrhythmia was occurred as a late post-operative complication when the extended incision over the both atria was made by lateral approach, while the posterior approach in adult case often is difficult to expose operative field. A 42-year-old female patient with supracardiac type of TAPVC, Darling Ia type, was successfully corrected using superior approach. During procedure, the excellent operative field was obtained and large size of anastomosis between the posterior wall of left atrium and the common pulmonary vein could be carried out without lifting up the apex of the heart or the extensive incision of the both atria. The post-operative angiogram revealed no stenosis or distortion at the anastomotic site. We reviewed the 17 adult cases of supracardiac type of TAPVC repair in Japan, however, the superior approach was not reported. Our experience would suggest the superior approach is useful in the adult patient to repair supracardiac type of TAPVC. In addition to surgical approach, the pitfall of the post-operative hemodynamic changes in adult case of TAPVC repair was discussed.