Abstract

Forty-one children with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect, and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction underwent a Rastelli operation between 1971 and 1978. A homograft valve preserved in an antibiotic solution and extended with A dacron tube was the conduit of choice. Alternatively, conduits with porcine heterografts or valves constructed from calf pericardium were used. They were positioned to the left of the aorta whenever possible. The intraventricular tunnel from the left ventricle to the aorta was constructed from Dacron velour. There were four early and seven late deaths. The last 13 consecutive patients have survived. Early deaths were related to unfavourable anatomy, conduit compression, and sepsis. Residual ventricular septal defects and postoperative infection were the main factors contributing to the late deaths.