Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) is treated with surgery. The surgery usually is done when a child is a baby. The timing of surgery depends on whether there's a blockage. If there is a blockage, surgery may need to be done very soon after birth.

To repair the heart, surgeons create a connection that allows the pulmonary veins to drain into the left atrium. Surgeons also may close the atypical pathway and close the hole between the upper heart chambers when needed.

One surgical technique that may be used is repair without sutures. Sutureless repair avoids placing stitches directly in the pulmonary veins. Instead, the surgeon attaches the left atrium to the tissue surrounding the pulmonary veins. This approach may cause less injury and scarring in the veins and help lower the risk that they will become narrowed after surgery.

Most infants do well after surgery. Monitoring is important right after surgical repair to make sure the heart and lungs are working well.