Mini-thoracotomy versus median sternotomy for atrial septal defect closure: Should mini-thoracotomy be applied as a standard technique?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare outcomes of minithoracotomy versus median sternotomy for atrial septal defect closure. METHODS: Between January 2012 and May 2017, a total of 44 patients (8 males, 36 females; mean age 33.86 years; range, 14 to 63 years) who underwent atrial septal defect repair through mini-thoracotomy or median sternotomy in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative data of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times between the groups, although the duration of operation was shorter in the mini-thoracotomy group (p=0.001). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of early mortality, neurological complications, and residual atrial septal defect. The mean mechanical ventilation time and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay were statistically significantly shorter, and the amount of bleeding was statistically significantly lower in the mini-thoracotomy group (p=0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Mini-thoracotomy should be kept in mind as a favorable alternative to sternotomy following a satisfactory learning curve period with less cost and higher patient benefit.

Choice of incision in penetrating cardiac injuries: Which one must we prefer: Thoracotomy or sternotomy?

BACKGROUND: Penetrating cardiac injuries are high-risk, high-mortality injuries considering the outcomes. Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate incision. In general clinical settings, thoracotomy and median sternotomy are choices of incisions to explore the injury. In this study, the results of median sternotomy and thoracotomy in penetrating cardiac injuries were compared. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2013, forty patients, who underwent either thoracotomy or median sternotomy for penetrating cardiac injury, were retrospectively analyzed, and the collected data were compared. Twenty-six patients underwent thoracotomy (Group 1), and fourteen patients underwent median sternotomy (Group 2). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant gender difference between the groups. However, the mean age in Group 2 was found to be significantly higher than the one in Group 1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no significant survival differences between the groups in the long term. Incision choice should be determined considering the site of injury and whether there is an accompanying pulmonary injury or not. On the other hand, thoracotomy has some draw backs compared to median sternotomy.

An alternative method of transperitoneal graft introduction in aortobifemoral bypass surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal injury and bleeding, which usually occurs while taking the graft through the transperitoneal tunnel, is one of the most important complications of aortobifemoral bypass surgery. In this study, case reports were examined where, for some reason, the tunneller instrument could not be used to create the transperitoneal tunnel and the tunnelling forceps was used. In some of these cases, the grafts were taken through conventionally and in others an alternative method was used. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2013, the records of 81 patients treated surgically by aortobifemoral bypass for peripheral arterial disease, were investigated retrospectively. In the conventional method, after creating a tunnel with tunnelling forceps, the forceps was re-introduced into the tunnel and the graft was clasped and brought through the tunnel. In the alternative method, a nylon tape was left as a guide in the tunnel while creating the tunnel, and the forceps was not introduced again. The graft was taken through the tunnel with the help of the nylon tape. Patients treated with the conventional method were included in group 1 (n = 49) and patients in which the graft was guided with nylon tape were included in group 2 (n = 32). The groups were compared peri-operatively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of co-morbidity factors. Extubation time, intensive care length of stay, revision for bleeding, other postoperative complications, and infection and late-term infection rates were similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). Hospital length of stay and blood usage were significantly higher in group 1 (p < 0.05). Drainage amounts were higher in group 1 but not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Using nylon tape to introduce the graft into the femoral area during aortobifemoral bypass operations was found to be more effective than using the tunnelling forceps.