When is the Best Time for Corrective Surgery in Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot between 0 and 12 Months of Age?

OBJECTIVE: To identify the best time for corrective surgery of tetralogy of Fallot (TF) in children aged 0-12 months and to report the most frequent complications during the first 3 years postoperatively.

METHODS: Systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 2017 on corrective surgery for TF. Articles were selected through search of electronic databases (PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, Lilacs, Google Scholar, and Cochrane). Length of stay in intensive care unit, duration of mechanical ventilation, and peri/postoperative complications were analyzed for data discussion and research interpretation.

CONCLUSION: Definitive corrective surgery is the best alternative, and the earlier it is performed, the lower the occurrence of harmful effects and the greater the chances of cardiorespiratory recovery. This systematic review suggests that the best time to perform definitive corrective surgery for TF in the first year of life is during 3-6 months of age in children with no or mild symptoms. Children with severe symptoms should undergo surgery immediately.