Preoperative management of neonatal tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve syndrome.

In tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve syndrome, aneurysmal enlargement of the central pulmonary arteries can be associated with severe bronchial stenosis and respiratory distress in the neonatal period. The ventilatory status of these patients must be stabilized before diagnostic and therapeutic interventions can be performed. This report describes the experience with prone positioning and emergency sternotomy in the preoperative care of a neonate.