Adjustable tourniquet to manipulate pulmonary blood flow after Norwood operations

Abstract Background . Survival after first-stage palliative Norwood operations for single ventricle with systemic outflow obstruction is mainly dependent on a balanced ratio of pulmonary blood flow to systemic blood flow. Here we report the clinical results using a modified technique that allows a controlled systemic-to-pulmonary shunt flow to prevent pulmonary overcirculation. Methods . From 1995 to 1998, of 26 infants undergoing first-stage palliative Norwood operations, 7 had placement of an adjustable tourniquet around a modified right Blalock-Taussig shunt. Results . Hospital survival was 20 of 26 patients (77%). All 7 patients in whom snaring of the shunt was indicated survived. Two p…