title: Repair of multiple muscular ventricular septal defects: septal obliteration technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of the apical multiple muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) remains still controversial. There are various surgical techniques and approaches for closure of "Swiss-cheese" VSDs. In this study, we report the outcome of multiple muscular VSDs repair, using the septal obliteration technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the septal obliteration technique in five "Swiss-cheese" ventricular septal defects cases through right atriotomy. Four of the cases had isolated multiple VSDs. One case also had an aortic arch interruption type A, which was repaired prior to cardiopulmonary bypass. Their ages varied between 43 days and 6 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We did not experience any mortality or serious morbidity. Tracheostomy was required in one patient. There was no important residual shunt in postoperative period, except a minimal shunt in one case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The closure technique of "Swiss-cheese" trabecular multiple VSDs using a large single patch was not troubling. Transatrial approach prevented postoperative problems of ventricular incision. Using a large needle with a large pledgett is the key, which provides deep tissue penetration to avoid residual shunt.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Institute of Cardiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. gurkan.cetin@veezy.com
authors.forename: Gurkan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cetin
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozkara
authors.forename: Atif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akcevin
authors.forename: Ali Kubilay
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Korkut
authors.forename: Ilksen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soyler
authors.forename: Ozge
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Koner
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tireli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000790:Angiocardiography; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome