Lung Decortication and Lobectomy in a Child With Unrepaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract

Patients with uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) have been reported as undergoing emergency noncardiac surgeries such as cesarean section, brain abscess drainage, and major abdominal surgery. The uncorrected TOF group presents a great challenge with issues related to long-term effects of chronic hypoxemia and decreased pulmonary blood flow modifying patient physiology. We report a rare case of a child with uncorrected TOF with necrotizing streptococcal pneumonia complicated by empyema and bronchopleural fistula. The child successfully underwent lung decortication and right middle lobectomy in the first stage followed by an intracardiac repair (ICR) 15 days later. This staged approach was directed at controlling the infective focus, improving the pulmonary status, and following it up with a definitive ICR electively.