[Complications of the Waterston-Cooley-Edwards anastomosis and their correction in radical surgery of the tetralogy of Fallot].

The work is based on the analysis of complications of Waterston-Cooley-Edwards anastomosis which create tactical and technical difficulties in correction of Fallot's tetralogy. Rational methods for their correction are suggested. From January, 1982 to April, 1989 a total of 133 radical operations were carried out for Fallot's tetralogy in patients with Waterston-Cooley-Edwards anastomosis formed earlier; mortality was 6%. Negative sequelae of the anastomosis were found in 62 (46.6%) patients. These were: pathology of the right pulmonary artery in 33 (27%) patients, functional atresia of the outflow paths from the right ventricle in 11 (8.3%), acquired atresia of the valve of the pulmonary artery in 2 (1.5%), pulmonary hypertension in 12 (9%), and acquired cavopulmonary fistula in 1 (0.8%) patient. Despite the rather large number of complications, most of them were successfully removed in radical correction of the anomaly. The postoperative mortality in the group of patients without complications (5.6%) hardly differed from that among patients with unfavourable sequelae of the anastomosis (6.5%).