Identifying the optimal monopolar electrocautery output power in pedicular internal thoracic artery harvesting: 20 or 40 watts?

BACKGROUND: Monopolar electrocautery is an important tool for harvesting the pedicular internal thoracic artery (ITA) in cardiac surgery. The different power outputs of cautery may affect graft integrity and long-term patency. This study aimed to identify the optimal threshold of electrocautery power for ITA harvest. METHODS: This prospective study included 30 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass surgery at the Medipol Mega University Hospital. The ITA was harvested by monopolar electrocautery after a median sternotomy. The output of cautery was adjusted at 20 W in group A and 40 W in group B. Three to 4 cm of a distal ITA sample from each patient was examined under a light microscope by two independent pathologists. RESULTS: The ITA harvest time was longer in group A (21.2 ± 7.5 vs 10.3 ± 8.1 min, p < 0.001) than in group B. ITA free flow was similar in the two groups (43.6 ± 48.7 vs 51.7 ± 45.0 Ml/min, p = 0.762). Mild to moderate injury in the endothelial and sub-endothelial sample was more frequent in the low-cautery group (p = 0.0037). CONCLUSIONS: ITA endothelial integrity was found to be better preserved with 40W electrocautery. Moreover, 20W of monopolar electrocautery may not be safe in pedicular ITA harvesting.

Peripheral vs. Central Cannulation in Cardiac Reoperations: Technical Considerations and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare peripheral and central cannulation techniques in cardiac reoperation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 258 patients undergoing cardiac reoperation between January 2013 and July 2018. Patients were divided into two groups according to the cannulation type. The first group included 145 (56.2%) patients operated with standard central cannulation through aorta and right atrium or bicaval cannulation. In this group, cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted after sternotomy. The second group consisted of 113 (43.8%) patients operated with peripheral cannulation through femoral artery, vein, and internal jugular vein. In this group, cardiopulmonary bypass was started before sternotomy and after systemic heparinisation. The two groups' operative complications and postoperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Procedure-related injury was higher in the central cannulation group than in the peripheral cannulation group (8.3% vs. 1.8%, respectively, P=0.038). Cardiopulmonary bypass time was shorter in the central cannulation group (P=0.008) and total operation time was similar between the groups (P=0.115). Postoperative red blood cell requirement was higher with central cannulation (P=0.004). Operative mortality (2.8% vs. 0, P=0.186), hospital mortality (4.3% vs. 2.7%, P=0.523), and one-year survival rate (90.3% vs. 94.7%, P=0.202) were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Peripheral cannulation reduces cardiac injury and blood transfusion in cardiac reoperation. The cannulation type does not affect postoperative complication, mortality, and one-year survival.

Sternum Dehiscence: A Preventable Complication of Median Sternotomy.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sternal dehiscence following cardiothoracic surgery via sternotomy is rare. It causes serious patient dissatisfaction and leads to higher hospital costs. For years, each clinic has made efforts to reduce this complication. Here, we aimed to summarize our techniques to prevent dehiscence. MATERIAL: This retrospective study included two groups operated via median sternotomy from March 2009 to May 2019. The first group included 1,105 consecutive patients who only received sternum wire for sternum closure from March 2009 to October 2013. The second group included 1,559 consecutive patients operated from January 2014 to May 2019; preventive closure techniques were performed for predefined high-risk patients in this group. These closure techniques included polyglyconate (Maxon) or simple longitudinal reinforced sutures, sternal cable or sternoband, sternal plate, and Robiscek technique. RESULTS: All patients in Group 1, and 63.8% (995/1559) patients in Group 2 received sternal wire only (P < .001). In Group 2, we applied preventive closure techniques to 564 (36.2%) patients. There was no sternal dehiscence in Group 2, whereas 29 (2.6%) patients postoperatively suffered sternal dehiscence in Group 1; this was statistically significant (P = .001, OR:85.5, 95%CI:5.22-1400.4). The overall incidence of mediastinitis was 0.94%. The incidence significantly was lower in Group 2 (P = .004, OR:3.6, 95%CI:1.52-8.82). Sternum-related mortality in Group 2 also was lower (0.54% versus 0.06%, P = .048, OR:8.5, 95% CI: 1.02-70.75). CONCLUSION: Sternal dehiscence can be avoided by careful perioperative risk assessment and enhanced closure techniques. The same special consideration may significantly reduce mediastinitis and sternal-related mortality.

Giant aneurysm of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva

Abstract Aneurysms of the sinuses of Valsalva are defined as dilatation of the aortic root region between the aortic annulus and the sinotubular junction. Isolated aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare cardiovascular pathologies. They may be congenital, especially secondary to connective tissue disorders or in conjunction with congenital cardiac defects, or acquired such as secondary to infections or trauma. Small sized aneurysm without rupture in asymptomatic patients may be followed; however, latter cases require intervention and surgery is the gold standard treatment modality. In this report, a 41-year-old male patient was reported with giant aneurysm of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva whom underwent aortic root sparing surgical aortic sinus of Valsalva reconstruction.

Peripheral vs. central cannulation in cardiac reoperations: technical considerations and outcomes

Abstract Objective: To compare peripheral and central cannulation techniques in cardiac reoperation. Methods: This retrospective study included 258 patients undergoing cardiac reoperation between January 2013 and July 2018. Patients were divided into two groups according to the cannulation type. The first group included 145 (56.2%) patients operated with standard central cannulation through aorta and right atrium or bicaval cannulation. In this group, cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted after sternotomy. The second group consisted of 113 (43.8%) patients operated with peripheral cannulation through femoral artery, vein, and internal jugular vein. In this group, cardiopulmonary bypass was started before sternotomy and after systemic heparinisation. The two groups' operative complications and postoperative outcomes were compared. Results: Procedure-related injury was higher in the central cannulation group than in the peripheral cannulation group (8.3% vs. 1.8%, respectively, P=0.038). Cardiopulmonary bypass time was shorter in the central cannulation group (P=0.008) and total operation time was similar between the groups (P=0.115). Postoperative red blood cell requirement was higher with central cannulation (P=0.004). Operative mortality (2.8% vs. 0, P=0.186), hospital mortality (4.3% vs. 2.7%, P=0.523), and one-year survival rate (90.3% vs. 94.7%, P=0.202) were similar between the groups. Conclusion: Peripheral cannulation reduces cardiac injury and blood transfusion in cardiac reoperation. The cannulation type does not affect postoperative complication, mortality, and one-year survival.

Giant Aneurysm of The Non-Coronary Sinus of Valsalva.

Aneurysms of the sinuses of Valsalva are defined as dilatation of the aortic root region between the aortic annulus and the sinotubular junction. Isolated aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are rare cardiovascular pathologies. They may be congenital, especially secondary to connective tissue disorders or in conjunction with congenital cardiac defects, or acquired such as secondary to infections or trauma. Small sized aneurysm without rupture in asymptomatic patients may be followed; however, latter cases require intervention and surgery is the gold standard treatment modality. In this report, a 41-year-old male patient was reported with giant aneurysm of the non-coronary sinus of Valsalva whom underwent aortic root sparing surgical aortic sinus of Valsalva reconstruction.

A new surgical approach to a patient with anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery: A case report.

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the main pulmonary artery is a very rarely seen congenital heart disease in children. Fatal ischemic and arrhythmic complications usually occur during early infancy, when pulmonary vascular resistance falls and left coronary artery flow decreases. Nearly 10% of patients reach childhood and adulthood, if extensive collateral coronary artery circulation develops. In this article, we report our end-to-end anastomosis technique of the left internal mammary artery to the left main coronary artery in a-10-year-old patient.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty/stent treatment of totally occlusive iliofemoral artery with limb ischemia: Experience of surgical team.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we present our center's experience on percutaneous transluminal angioplasty/stenting. METHODS: Between January 2015 and March 2017, a total of 40 patients (34 males, 6 females; mean age 64.5±8.7 years; range, 49 to 85 years) who were treated in our clinic due to totally occluded iliofemoral artery disease were included. There were 45 legs and 51 targeted vessels. Hybrid procedure was performed to those patients with iliofemoral or femoropopliteal bypass grafts. RESULTS: A total of 48 target vessels (94.1%) were implanted using 55 stents at the initial attempt. Failed three target vessels (5.9%) were treated by surgical revascularization. There was no procedure-related mortality. Below-knee amputation was performed in one patient after 70 days. Two patients underwent single-finger amputation. Contrast nephropathy occurred in one patient and this patient was treated medically. The mean follow-up was 16.7±5 (range, 8 to 29) months. After follow-up, 41 stents were found to be patent without any intervention, and the primary patency rate was 74.5%. Five stent thrombosis patients (12.5%) were treated at different times. CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty/stent treatment may be advisable in patients with significant comorbidities. The lower rates of complication in the stent series strongly suggest that, in experienced hands, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty/stent can offer lower procedural risks than surgical revascularization. Hybrid procedure is likely to be a reasonable choice for previously intervened comorbid patients for limb salvage.