Pii: S1010-7940(01)00577-2

Objectives: Detachment of the septal lea ̄et of the tricuspid valve from the annulus (TVD) has been used to improve visualization of ventricular septal defects (VSDs), but may be associated with increased operative time, heart block, and the development of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Methods: Patients undergoing VSD closure between 1/1/96 and 31/12/99 were retrospectively reviewed. Follow-up was obtained from the patients' cardiologists. Results: Transatrial VSD closure was performed in 172 patients with TVD in 36 (21%) at the surgeon's discretion. The lea ̄et incision was repaired with a separate suture (22) or with the VSD patch suture (14). Additional procedures including arch augmentation, closure of atrial septal defects, and closure of additional VSDs were performed in 93 (68%) non-TVD patients and 20 (56%) TVD patients. The median age was 6.2 months (range 1 day to 46 years) and the median weight was 5.9 kg (range 1.5±71.5 kg). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time was 64 ^ 24 min and cross-clamp time was 34 ^ 16 min. One hospital death occurred in an infant with tracheal stenosis. No child in either group developed complete heart block. The median duration of postoperative stay was 4 days (range 2±49 days). There were no differences in CPB time, cross-clamp time or postoperative stay between the TVD and non-TVD groups (P . 0:1 for all). At a mean follow-up of 17 ^ 15 months, there have been two late deaths unrelated to cardiac disease. No child in the TVD group required reoperation for residual VSD, compared to three in the non-TVD group. No child in the TVD group has greater than mild TR, but six in the non-TVD group have greater than mild TR. No child in either group has undergone reoperation for TR. Conclusions: TVD is a safe, effective technique to improve visualization of VSD and is not associated with heart block, increased operative time, or TR. TVD may result in improved preservation of tricuspid valve architecture and decrease the incidence of signi®cant postoperative TR. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.