Methods for repair of simple isolated ventricular septal defect.

One hundred fifteen consecutive patients underwent repair of a variety of "isolated" simple ventricular septal defects (VSD), from February 1985 through December 1989. In no patient was a ventriculotomy required to accomplish the ventricular septal defect closure. There were no instances of permanent complete atrioventricular dissociation, and there have been no reoperations for residual or recurrent VSD. Postoperative echocardiographic and Doppler studies were performed in each patient and revealed good surgical results. There was one hospital death. The technical strategies used to accomplish the repair are described. These include methods for transatrial, transaortic, and transpulmonary approach to VSD closure. Enabling methodologies described include detaching the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve to enhance VSD exposure in patients wherein the defect is obstructed by the tricuspid valve with "aneurysm of the membranous septum." Also, splitting of the VSD patch in order to manage tricuspid valve chordal straddling is outlined.