An alternative technique of atrial septectomy during bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis.

An atrial septectomy is often required to create or enlarge a pre-existing restrictive atrial septal defect in patients with univentricular hearts undergoing the bidirectional superior cavopulmonary anastomosis. We describe an alternative surgical technique through the transected cardiac end of the superior vena cava without a right atriotomy successfully performed in 26 patients.