Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection beyond infancy

Most patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection are operated on in infancy, with low mortality and morbidity, but in developing countries, we still encounter patients beyond infancy. We describe our experience in 26 patients aged 1–16 years (mean, 5.01 years), with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, who underwent correction between June 2007 and December 2009. Eleven patients were > 5-years old. Transthoracic echocardiography was diagnostic in all cases. Mean intensive care unit stay was 2.3 ± 0.87 days, and hospital stay was 9.23 ± 2.34 days. There were no early deaths and no major postoperative complications. Follow-up ranged from 10–40 months. Pulmonary artery pressure, as judged by echocardiography, reduced significantly in all patients. Repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection beyond infancy can be carried out safely with acceptable results.