Non-Catheter Related Perioperative Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Following Surgical VSD Closure-Role of Transesophageal Echocardiography

Abstract

Unintentional iatrogenic surgical complications can complicate the operative and postoperative courses of paediatric cardiac surgery patients. Unless recognized and treated early, it’s possible, these complications may lead to a prolonged hospital stay, increased treatment cost, morbidity, and even death. Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart defect in children, occurring in 50% of all children with congenital heart disease and in 20% as an isolated lesion. Herein, we discuss the development of Superior Vena Cava (SVC) syndrome following surgical repair of VSD in a nine-month-old child. Early clinical diagnosis, immediate confirmation with Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) and surgical re-exploration led to a good outcome in this patient. If, however, we could have performed an intraoperative Trans Esophageal Echocardiography (TEE), this complication could have been recognized, even before shifting from the operating room.

Keywords

• iatrogenic
• surgical complication
• upper torso discoloration