EARLY EXTUBATION OF THE TRACHEA AFTER OPEN HEART SURGERY FOR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Abstract

The results of carry extubation after open heart surgery for congenital heart disease in 209 consecutive patients have been reviewed. No patient younger than 3 months of age, 52% of those between 3 and 12 months, and 88% of those older than 12 months had the tracneal tube removed in the operating theatre. Four patients required reintubation of the trachea, three because of respiratory difficulty and one because of cerebral oedema. There were two deaths in the eztubated group. Twelve patients had Pa_o2 values less than 8.0 kPa after operation, despite adequate oxygen therapy. In four of these, this was related to persistent intracardiac shunting. It is concluded that early extubation after open heart surgery for congenital heart disease has minimal risk in carefully selected patients.