Ascending aorta-right pulmonary artery anastomosis: Waterston's operation.

The results of 180 cases of congenital heart disease with diminished pulmonary flow operated upon with Waterston's technique are presented. It is considered that Waterston's operation is to be preferred in children under 2 years of age and in older children who have had a previous thrombotic or insufficient Blalock operation and in whom total correction is not indicated. The problem of pseudotruncus with hypoplastic pulmonary arteries is discussed. The convenience of the Waterston operation in these cases, and the importance of creating an anastomosis at the pulmonary bifurcation and as far back as possible in the aorta, is emphasized. The need to perform this technique in the correct way is stressed. This will avoid the kinking and pulling of the right pulmonary artery, which are causes of preferential blood flow to the right lung, as we have demonstrated experimentally. The possible complications caused by such a technical failure are discussed. The necessity for previous angiocardiographic study, in order properly to repair the defect during total correction, is also considered.