The surgical management of Fallot's tetralogy.

FALLOT'S tetralogy is a condition of cyanotic congenital heart disease associated with pulmonary stenosis and a ventricular septal defect. The right ventricular hypertrophy and overriding aorta are probably a result of the altered hemodynamics. The essential features of the condition are cyanosis, pulmonary stenosis and a ventricular septal defect. Consequently, the so-called Trilogy of Fallot is excluded from consideration since these cases have no ventricular septal defect. Further, the term is misleading and should be dropped. Cases of ventricular septal defect with mild pulmonary stenosis and no cyanosis at rest or on exertion are also excluded from consideration under the definition presented above. Finally, the term Pentalogy of Fallot provides no useful information. This condition is better known as Fallot's tetralogy with an additional atrial septal defect.