Pentalogy of Cantrell : successful early correction.

The pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare midline developmental field complex often with a dismal outcome. We present a newborn qualifying for Cantrell's pentalogy with an abdominal wall defect, a diaphragmatic defect and a heart defect, a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and a left ventricular diverticulum. Early operative correction following accurate diagnostic work-up was prompted at the age of 11 weeks because of progressive heart failure. Beside correction of the VSD and the abdominal and diaphragmatic defects, resection of the distal part of the diverticulum was possible without damage to the LAD and preserving good contractility. Two years postoperative follow-up is uneventful.