The surgical management of aortopulmonary window using the anterior sandwich patch closure technique

Between 1969 and June, 1986, 13 patients with aortopulmonary window were evaluated and operated upon with eleven survivors. All were children with ages ranging from 2 weeks to 2 1/2 years and had a typical aortopulmonary window (Type 1) with a connection between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery. Six of them also had associated cardiac anomalies. Operative techniques included both closed and open procedures. Simple ligation was carried out in two, while the remaining 11 patients were operated upon with the aid of extracorporeal circulation. "Sandwich" patch closure was the preferred method which was employed in 7 patients.