Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart defect, includes a broad spectrum of RVOTO and multiple variants with surgical interventions and postoperative management tailored to each patient. In our study, we compared the morbidity and mortality rates of our two different surgical approaches according to the surgical criteria that have changed in the last 26 years.
Material and Method:Total correction surgery was performed on 967 patients with tetralogy of Fallot by the same surgical team in our clinic. The patients were divided into 2 groups, 340 in Group 1 and 627 in Group 2, according to preoperative criteria. Demographic data of the patients, preoperative evaluation methods, additional pathologies of the patients in the preoperative period, palliative operations performed before total correction and early postoperative complications were evaluated.
Results: A significant difference was observed in the mortality and morbidity outcomes of the 2 groups compared. Since the number of patients < 1 year was higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1, less palliative surgery was performed before total correction. Our patients in Group 2 had a lower incidence of postoperative complications, low cardiac output, and arrhythmia.
Conclusion: Correction of the pathology at an early age in symptomatic patients with a diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot positively affects the prognosis of the patient. In addition, early diagnosis and treatment in all patients with or without symptoms have a significant impact on the prognosis of complications that may occur in the postoperative period. We believe that one of the biggest factors in surgical success is an experienced surgical team that has worked together for many years.