Postoperative complications associated with repair of TAPVC include:

B. Acute pulmonary hypertensive crisis.

D. Pulmonary venous obstruction.

DISCUSSION: In the early postoperative period after repair of obstructed forms of TAPVC, acute episodes of pulmonary hypertension may develop as a response to stress. To minimize this potentially fatal complication, infants are kept anesthetized with fentanyl and pancuronium for at least 48 hours. Residual or recurrent pulmonary venous obstruction occurs in only 5% to 10% of patients after TAPVC repair, but if identified it requires early reoperation. Reoperation is usually successful if the obstruction is at the level of the anastomosis. Unfortunately, in some cases, the obstruction is in the pulmonary veins and surgical relief is less successful. Although complete heart block and pleural effusions can occur after any cardiac operation, they rarely occur after TAPVC repair.