Some clear facts.

Following the advice of my husband...... I decided to include "clear cut" information.
So here it is !
Hoping this will help more and more parents/babies. I will try to collect a wealth of information. "Clear facts"

I am writing this with a smile.I am so thankful for Will , my husband. He has been and is a true hero . How about this ?? I guess this will balance our wonderful new rational approach ! :0)


BOOKMARK ARTICLE
One-stage midline unifocalization and complete repair in infancy versus multiple-stage unifocalization followed by repair for complex heart disease with major aortopulmonary collaterals☆☆☆★★★

Christo I. Tchervenkov, MDa, Gary Salasidis, MDa, Renzo Cecere, MDa, Marie J. Béland, MDb, Luc Jutras, MDb, Marc Paquet, MDb, Anthony R.C. Dobell, MDb

Received 7 May 1997; received in revised form 12 June 1997 and 7 July 1997; accepted 9 July 1997.
Abstract

Background: Patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries have traditionally required multiple unifocalization staging operations before undergoing complete repair. Recently, the feasibility of a single-stage unifocalization and repair was demonstrated by Hanley. In this report, we describe our experience with each approach. Methods and Results: Since 1989, 11 of 12 patients with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect, and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries have undergone complete surgical correction. The first seven patients were subjected to staged bilateral unifocalizations, with repair being achieved in six (group I). The last five patients have undergone a single-stage midline unifocalization and repair via a sternotomy (group II). Four of these were infants (2 weeks to 9 months) and one was 13 years old. All patients in group I had tetralogy of Fallot, whereas in group II three patients had tetralogy of Fallot, one patient had double-outlet right ventricle, and one patient had complete atrioventricular canal and transposition. In group I, the median age at the first operation was 43 weeks. Complete repair was performed at a median age of 3.5 years, with a mean number of 3.3 operations required. In group II, only one operation was required to achieve complete repair at a median age of 28 weeks. The postoperative right ventricular/left ventricular pressure ratio was 0.49 in group I and 0.45 in group II. One intraoperative death and one late death occurred in group I and no early or late deaths in group II. Currently, four patients in group I and all five patients in group II are alive and well. Conclusions: Early intervention with both surgical approaches can lead to complete biventricular repair in most patients. Because the single-stage midline unifocalization and repair can achieve a completely repaired heart in infancy with one operation, it is currently our approach of choice.(J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;114:727-37)

Here is the link to this article http://www.jtcvsonline.org/article/S0022-5223(97)70076-X/abstract