Eleven consecutive cases of simple transposition of great arteries were palliated by balloon atrial septostomy, The arterial saturation was improved and the gradient across the atrial septum was reduced or abolished. Improvement in the clinical status was achieved in all the patients. There was no mortality and morbidity was mild. A description of the technique as well as a brief review of the anatomy and haemodynamics of complete transposition of great arteries are the aims of this paper.
Bilateral abductor vocal cord palsy is comparatively a rare vocal cord lesion, especially in a patient with no history of neck mass, previous surgery or trauma. Many patients are not stridulous. A patient presenting with stridor may need emergency airway management before the other treatment is commenced. We report a case of bilateral abductor palsy which required an emergency tracheostomy and subsequently a laser posterior cordectomy.