ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of modified Blalock-Taussig shunt on the treatment of cyanotic congenital heart diseases in neonates.MethodsThe clinical data of 33 neonates undergoing modified Blalock-Taussig shunt between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2017 were reviewed, including 28 males and 5 females with the age of 3.0-28.0 (18.0±6.1) d and weight of 1.9-3.7 (2.9±0.5) kg.ResultsThere were 3 (9.1%) in-hospital deaths. Ten (30.3%) patients required early unplanned reoperations after surgery. Five (15.2%) patients were lost to follow-up. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative acidosis, emergency operation and postoperative bedside thoracotomy were independent risk factors of early death. During the follow-up of 18.0-93.0 (40.2±22.5) months, there was no death and 9 (36.0%) survival patients underwent corrective surgery and stage-two palliative surgery. In the multivariate analysis, preoperative hyperhemoglobinemia was an independent risk factor of nonadministration of the corrective surgery and stage-two palliative surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that preoperative hyperhemoglobinemia was significant in determining whether secondary surgery was possible.ConclusionThe modified Blalock-Taussig shunt is effective in promoting development of pulmonary arteries and preparing for the secondary surgery. The rate of mortality and postoperative complications after the neonatal modified Blalock-Taussig shunt remains high. The rate of secondary surgery is still low during follow-up.