Surgeries in Neonates and Small-Weight Babies With Congenital Heart Diseases: Challenges and Gratification

Abstract

Background: Complex cardiac surgery in neonates and small-weight babies is a challenge. In addition to the surgical expertise and skill required, accurate diagnosis, management of anesthesia, perfusion, and postoperative critical care are equally challenging. Methods: We have analyzed the data of 4 different examples of complex cardiac surgery in neonates and small-weight babies from February 2012 to July 2019 in our unit. The first group included 118 cases of arterial switch operations for transposition of great arteries with and without ventricular septal defect (group 1). The second group included 52 patients of aortic arch repair from midline using selective cerebral perfusion avoiding total circulatory arrest (group 2). The third group included 75 patients of repair of coarctation of aorta from thoracotomy using the modified end-to-side technique (group 3). The fourth group included 40 neonates and small-weight babies who underwent repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (group 4). Results: In group 1, there was hospital mortality in 6 babies. In group 2, there was no hospital mortality. In group 3, there was 1 hospital death; in group 4, there were 5 hospital deaths. The major contributing cause of death was respiratory or blood-borne infection causing respiratory issues leading to prolonged ventilation. Left diaphragm palsy contributed to morbidity and eventual death in 2 babies. Only 2 patients required tracheostomy to wean off the ventilator. Conclusions: In the present day, it is possible to achieve satisfactory results with acceptable mortality in neonatal cardiac surgery. Morbidity associated with very early repair in neonatal age, low weight, and infection-related issues is manageable with good outcomes.