One stage correction of coarctation of the aorta associated with intracardiac defects in infancy

A two stage surgical approach is usually prepared for symptomatic babies affected by coarctation of aorta associated with intracardiac defects, the preliminary operation being the resection of the coarctation. One stage correction has been attempted in six patients, ranging from 2 to 24 m. of age and from 3,2 to 9,7 Kg. of weight. The associated lesions were a large V.S.D. (3 patients), a V.S.D. with pulmonary stenosis, a mitral stenosis and a mitral insufficiency. The coarctation was approached through a left thoracotomy and the intracardiac defect through a midline sternotomy incision, after the patient was turned around. All patients survived and did well following the double procedure. The two-stage surgical approach is unnecessary and probably unadvisable for patients with coarctation of the aorta and associated intracardiac lesions.