Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze our experience with theBi-directional cavopulmonary shunt as a palliative procedure for the functional single ventricular heart.Methods: From October 1996 to January 2000, 57 patients with functional single ventricle underwent palliation using the bi-directional cavopulmonary shunt. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I (28 patients) where the anastomosis was done without augmentation patch, and Group II (29 patients) where augmentation patch was used at the anastomotic line. Results: The total mortality was 12 % (7/57) representing (6/28) in Group I and (1/29) in Group II. Follow up extended from 6 to 20 months with an average of 14 months, oxygen saturation was maintained at a range of 81 % - 90 % in Group I while 83 % – 89 % in Group II. The cause of mortality and morbidity in this study was the development of pleural effusion and variable degree of superior vena caval syndrome.Conclusion: Due to the considerable mortality in group I, which was mainly due to the development of pleural effusion and superior vena caval syndrome. We changed our surgical technique where extensive use of augmentation patch at the anastomotic line and abolishing or banding pulmonary blood flow were used. These changes brought about a favorable outcome in Group II.