Experiments on minimally invasive open heart surgery using right Anterolateral Minithoracotomy
Objective
Minimal invasive cardiac surgical techniques recently have been applied in the management of various cardiac lesions. The aim of the study was to evaluate right anterolateral minithoracotomy as an alternative procedure with a better cosmetic and clinical outcomes.
Methods
Fifteen male and 64 female patients underwent open heart surgery during cardiopulmonary bypass through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy at the fourth intercostal space. The average age was 41+/-6 years. Fifty-two (65.8%) patients underwent mitral valve replacement, 5 (6.3%) patients underwent mitral valve replacement+ tricuspid annuloplasty, 5 (6.3%) patients underwent tricuspid valve replacement, 7 (8.9%) patients underwent closure of the atrial septal defect (ASD), 3 (3.8%) patients underwent closure of the ventricular septal defect (VSD), 1 (1.2%) patient underwent closure of the ASD+ VSD and 5 (6.3%) patients underwent mitral re-replacement.
Results
The postoperative average ventilation time was 6+/-2 h in 38 (48.1%) patients and 11+/-3 h in 41 (51.9%) patients. The postoperative average mediastinal drainage was 350+/-110 ml during first 24 hours, and postoperative stay in intensive care was 1.8+/-0.8 days.
Conclusion
As a result, the right anterolateral minithoracotomy incision is a safe and effective alternative to the median sternotomy for open heart surgical procedures. Most o
