Division of modified Blalock-Taussig shunt at correction avoids distortion of the pulmonary artery.
BACKGROUND
Modified Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt causing pulmonary artery distortion has been reported. This distortion may get worse after a corrective operation if the BT shunt is ligated, rather than divided. In this study we examined whether division of modified BT shunt at the time of corrective operation would allow pulmonary artery growth and avoid further distortion.


METHODS
Fifteen patients who had modified BT shunts and subsequently had corrective operations performed by one surgeon between January 1980 to December 1990 were analyzed. The median time from the BT shunt to corrective operation was 46.3 months (range, 3 to 119 months). At the time of corrective procedure, the BT shunt was divided and metal clips were used to occlude and mark each end. At follow-up a chest roentgenogram was obtained and the distance between the two clips was measured.


RESULTS
In all 15 patients measured sequentially the distances between the two clips increased steadily.


CONCLUSIONS
Division of BT shunt at the time of corrective procedure reduces pulmonary artery distortion.
Chen
Q
Q
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Southampton University Hospital, United Kingdom.
Monro
J L
JL
D000792:Angiography; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control