Surgical Treatment of a Defect Recurring 22 Years after Closure of an Inferior Sinus Venosus Defect: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND

Residual shunt after closure of an inferior sinus venosus defect (ISVD) is a rare complication with a high rate of reintervention.

CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a rare case of a recurrent defect identified 22 years after closure of an ISVD. The defect (25 × 10 mm) was located at the inferior vena cava-right atrial junction and was closed directly when the patient was 5 years of age. No residual shunt was detected and follow-up was discontinued at age 12 years. However, a residual atrial septal defect shunt was detected incidentally at age 27 years. During the second surgery, the lower end of the original defect was opened and then closed with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene patch.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the high rate of reintervention for residual shunt after ISVD closure, patch closure was selected as a better option to reduce tension at the inferior-posterior border. Patients with this profile should be followed closely, at least during childhood, including by echocardiography.