Single (Left) Superior Vena Cava Draining into the Left Atrium

Anomalous drainage of a single left superior vena cava into the left atrium is rare, and correction presents a technical problem. This report describes a patient with absent right superior vena cava, a persistent large left superior vena cava draining to the left atrium, and an intact interatrial septum. Surgical correction was accomplished by removing the entire septum and placing a cloth baffle to cover the orifices of the pulmonary veins and mitral valve, thus partitioning pulmonary venous blood into the left ventricle. This technique of septal excision and replacement is applicable to other complicated anomalies involving the systemic and pulmonary venous channels and their relationship to the two atria. The surgical management of related anomalies of the superior vena cava is also discussed.