Left thoracotomy approach for off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: 15 years of experience in 2500 consecutive patients.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to describe the experience at 2 centres with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting using a left thoracotomy. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2017, a total of 2528 consecutive patients (578 women, mean age 62.3 ± 9.1 years) were operated on using this technique. Data were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were no conversions to median sternotomy and 6 patients (0.2%) were converted to on-pump CABG. The mean number of grafts per patient was 2.8 ± 0. 9. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.0% (25 patients). Most patients were extubated in the operating theatre (97.3%), and 47 patients (1.9%) needed re-exploration for bleeding. Seven patients (0.3%) experienced a cerebrovascular event; 4 (0.3%) had a postoperative myocardial infarction; and 84 (3.4%) had new-onset atrial fibrillation. A total of 1510 patients (61.1%) were discharged from the hospital in the first 48 h after surgery. Long-term survival rates were 98.8%, 93.6% and 69.1% at 1, 5 and 10 years, respectively (central image). During the follow-up period, 60 patients (2.9%) were re-examined for recurrence of angina with a new coronary angiogram; of those, 24 (1.2%) required percutaneous coronary intervention and 11 (0.5%) had redo surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A left thoracotomy is a safe alternative to a median sternotomy for coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart, with low early complications and good mid- and long-term results.

Off-pump bidirectional Glenn through right anterior thoracotomy / Glenn bidirecional sem uso de CEC via toracotomia anterior direita

AbstractThe Glenn operation involving anastomosis of the superior vena cava to the pulmonary artery has been performed for palliative operations of many cyanotic congenital heart diseases in addition to the single ventricle since the 1960s. The classic procedure is done via median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. The benefits of this procedure without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass remain mixed within reported series. Cases using this approach and off-pump technique together in Latin-America have not yet been reported in the scientific literature.

ResumoA operação de Glenn envolvendo anastomose da veia cava superior à artéria pulmonar foi realizada como procedimento paliativo de muitas doenças cardíacas congênitas cianóticas, além do ventrículo único desde os anos 1960. O procedimento clássico é feito por esternotomia mediana e circulação extracorpórea. Os benefícios deste procedimento sem o uso de circulação extracorpórea permanecem incertos dentro da série relatada. Casos utilizando conjuntamente esta abordagem e a técnica sem circulação extracorpórea na América Latina ainda não foram relatados na literatura científica.

Off-pump bidirectional Glenn through right anterior thoracotomy.

The Glenn operation involving anastomosis of the superior vena cava to the pulmonary artery has been performed for palliative operations of many cyanotic congenital heart diseases in addition to the single ventricle since the 1960s. The classic procedure is done via median sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. The benefits of this procedure without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass remain mixed within reported series. Cases using this approach and off-pump technique together in Latin-America have not yet been reported in the scientific literature.

New technique "Right Anterior Small Thoracotomy (RAST operation)" for beating heart grafting of the right internal thoracic artery to the posterior descending artery to the posterior descending artery in a third redo CABG patient. A novel coronary technique.

Third REDO-CABG is a challenge for the surgical team. Usually a patent mammary is the only graft working and the sternotomy becomes a risky procedure. Injury to a patent graft has been associated to a high mortality rate. Many different approaches have been proposed. We describe a novel technique to approach the right coronary artery through a right anterior small thoracotomy using the right mammary prolonged with saphenous vein for grafting the posterior descending artery on the beating heart. The technique is very simple and feasible because anatomically the right coronary artery and the right mammary are very close and the mobilization of the heart is minimal.

New technique "Right Anterior Small Thoracotomy (RAST operation)" for beating heart grafting of the right internal thoracic artery to the posterior descending artery to the posterior descending artery in a third redo CABG patient. A novel coronary technique / Nova técnica "Pequena toracotomia anterior direita (operação RAST)" para enxerto da artéria torácica interna direita para a artéria descendente posterior com o coração batendo em paciente de terceira RM. Uma técnica coronária nova

Third REDO-CABG is a challenge for the surgical team. Usually a patent mammary is the only graft working and the sternotomy becomes a risky procedure. Injury to a patent graft has been associated to a high mortality rate. Many different approaches have been proposed. We describe a novel technique to approach the right coronary artery through a right anterior small thoracotomy using the right mammary prolonged with saphenous vein for grafting the posterior descending artery on the beating heart. The technique is very simple and feasible because anatomically the right coronary artery and the right mammary are very close and the mobilization of the heart is minimal.

A terceira reoperação de revascularização miocárdica é um desafio para a equipe cirúrgica. Normalmente, uma mamária patente é a única possibilidade de enxerto e a esternotomia torna-se um procedimento arriscado. A lesão de enxerto patente tem sido associada a uma alta taxa de mortalidade. Muitas abordagens diferentes têm sido propostas. Descrevemos uma nova técnica de abordagem da artéria coronária direita através de uma pequena toracotomia anterior direita usando a mamária direita prolongada com enxerto de veia safena para a artéria descendente posterior com o coração batendo. A técnica é muito simples e viável, pois anatomicamente a artéria coronária direita e a mamária direita estão muito próximas e a mobilização do coração é mínima.

Primeros resultados comparativos de dos vías de abordajes de cirugía de revascularización coronaria mínimamente invasiva / First comparative results from two-ways surgical approaches of minimally-invasive coronary revascularization

INTRODUCCIÓN. El objetivo de esta investigación fue exponer y comparar los resultados de 2 vías de abordaje diferentes (toracotomía anterior izquierda y esternotomía media longitudinal) para revascularización miocárdica con corazón latiendo, practicadas en el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras entre septiembre de 2007 (cuando se introdujo en el centro la técnica mediante toracotomía) y enero del 2008. MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo y descriptivo longitudinal para comparar resultados según la vía de abordaje quirúrgico para revascularización miocárdica mínimamente invasiva: vía habitual, por esternotomía media longitudinal (29 operados; 65,9 por ciento) y vía nueva y no habitual por toracotomía anterior izquierda (15 operados; 34,1 por ciento). RESULTADOS. El promedio de derivaciones realizadas fue de 3,31 mediante esternotomía y de 3 por toracotomía. Requirió transfusiones el 96,6 por ciento y el 26,7 por ciento de los pacientes operados por esternotomía y toracotomía, respectivamente, lo cual fue estadísticamente significativo. El uso de fármacos inotrópicos y de balón de contrapulsación intraórtico no fue estadísticamente significativo. El tiempo quirúrgico usual en ambas técnicas fue de 5 a 7 h, mientras que el tiempo de intubación fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes operados por esternotomía (11-14 h frente a 3-6 h en la toracotomía). Igual fue significativa la estadía, mayor en la esternotomía (3-4 días frente a 1-2 días en la toracotomía). La hemorragia posoperatoria fue significativamente mayor en la esternotomía. No hubo diferencia estadística cuando se compararon las complicaciones y la mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES. La vía de abordaje por toracotomía para la revascularización miocárdica es una técnica alternativa, efectiva y segura. Observamos que es posible realizar una revascularización miocárdica completa sin comprometer la seguridad del procedimiento y la calidad de las anastomosis. Los costos son algo menores por esta vía que por la habitual, e igualmente son significativos los resultados en cuanto a estadía hospitalaria y uso de hemoderivados, por lo cual proponemos continuar trabajando en la estabilización de esta nueva vía de cirugía coronaria en nuestro servicio(AU)

INTRODUCTION.The objective of present paper was to expose and to compare the results from two-ways different approaches (left anterior thoracotomy and longitudinal medium sternotomy) for myocardial revascularization with the heart beating carried out in the Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital between September, 2007 (when this technique was introduced by thoracotomy ) and January, 2008. METHODS. A longitudinal, descriptive and prospective study was conducted to compare the results depending on the surgical approach for minimally invasive myocardial revascularization: usual route, by longitudinal medium sternotomy (29 operated on, 65,9 percent) and the new rout and unusual by left anterior thoracotomy (15 operated on, 34,1 percent). RESULTS. The average of shunts carried out was of 3,31 by sternotomy and of 3 by thoracotomy. The 96,6 and the 26,7 percent of operated on sternotomy and thoracotomy, respectively need blood transfusions which was statistically significant. The use of inotropic drugs and of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation hasn't statistical significance.The usual surgical time in both techniques was of 5 to 7 h, whereas the intubation was greater in patients operated on using sternotomy (11-14 h versus 3-6 h in the thoracotomy). The hospital stay was greater in the cases of sternotomy ( 3-4 days versus 1-2 days in those of sternotomy. There weren't statistical difference when complications and mortality were compared. CONCLUSIONS. The approach route using thoratocomy for myocardial revascularization is a alternative, effective and safe technique. It is possible to carry out a complete myocardial revascularization without compromising the procedure safe and he anastomoses quality. The costs are less using this route than with the usual one and the results are similarly significant as regards hospital stay and the use of hemoderivatives, thus, authors propose to continue working in the stabilization of this new route or coronary surgery in our service (AU)

Primeros resultados comparativos de dos vías de abordajes de cirugía de revascularización coronaria mínimamente invasiva / First comparative results from two-ways surgical approaches of minimally-invasive coronary revascularization

INTRODUCCIÓN. El objetivo de esta investigación fue exponer y comparar los resultados de 2 vías de abordaje diferentes (toracotomía anterior izquierda y esternotomía media longitudinal) para revascularización miocárdica con corazón latiendo, practicadas en el Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras entre septiembre de 2007 (cuando se introdujo en el centro la técnica mediante toracotomía) y enero del 2008. MÉTODOS. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo y descriptivo longitudinal para comparar resultados según la vía de abordaje quirúrgico para revascularización miocárdica mínimamente invasiva: vía habitual, por esternotomía media longitudinal (29 operados; 65,9 por ciento) y vía nueva y no habitual por toracotomía anterior izquierda (15 operados; 34,1 por ciento). RESULTADOS. El promedio de derivaciones realizadas fue de 3,31 mediante esternotomía y de 3 por toracotomía. Requirió transfusiones el 96,6 por ciento y el 26,7 por ciento de los pacientes operados por esternotomía y toracotomía, respectivamente, lo cual fue estadísticamente significativo. El uso de fármacos inotrópicos y de balón de contrapulsación intraórtico no fue estadísticamente significativo. El tiempo quirúrgico usual en ambas técnicas fue de 5 a 7 h, mientras que el tiempo de intubación fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes operados por esternotomía (11-14 h frente a 3-6 h en la toracotomía). Igual fue significativa la estadía, mayor en la esternotomía (3-4 días frente a 1-2 días en la toracotomía). La hemorragia posoperatoria fue significativamente mayor en la esternotomía. No hubo diferencia estadística cuando se compararon las complicaciones y la mortalidad. CONCLUSIONES. La vía de abordaje por toracotomía para la revascularización miocárdica es una técnica alternativa, efectiva y segura. Observamos que es posible realizar una revascularización miocárdica completa sin comprometer la seguridad del procedimiento y la calidad de las anastomosis. Los costos son algo menores por esta vía que por la habitual, e igualmente son significativos los resultados en cuanto a estadía hospitalaria y uso de hemoderivados, por lo cual proponemos continuar trabajando en la estabilización de esta nueva vía de cirugía coronaria en nuestro servicio(AU)

INTRODUCTION.The objective of present paper was to expose and to compare the results from two-ways different approaches (left anterior thoracotomy and longitudinal medium sternotomy) for myocardial revascularization with the heart beating carried out in the Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital between September, 2007 (when this technique was introduced by thoracotomy ) and January, 2008. METHODS. A longitudinal, descriptive and prospective study was conducted to compare the results depending on the surgical approach for minimally invasive myocardial revascularization: usual route, by longitudinal medium sternotomy (29 operated on, 65,9 percent) and the new rout and unusual by left anterior thoracotomy (15 operated on, 34,1 percent). RESULTS. The average of shunts carried out was of 3,31 by sternotomy and of 3 by thoracotomy. The 96,6 and the 26,7 percent of operated on sternotomy and thoracotomy, respectively need blood transfusions which was statistically significant. The use of inotropic drugs and of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation hasn't statistical significance.The usual surgical time in both techniques was of 5 to 7 h, whereas the intubation was greater in patients operated on using sternotomy (11-14 h versus 3-6 h in the thoracotomy). The hospital stay was greater in the cases of sternotomy ( 3-4 days versus 1-2 days in those of sternotomy. There weren't statistical difference when complications and mortality were compared. CONCLUSIONS. The approach route using thoratocomy for myocardial revascularization is a alternative, effective and safe technique. It is possible to carry out a complete myocardial revascularization without compromising the procedure safe and he anastomoses quality. The costs are less using this route than with the usual one and the results are similarly significant as regards hospital stay and the use of hemoderivatives, thus, authors propose to continue working in the stabilization of this new route or coronary surgery in our service(AU)

Minimally-invasive coronary surgery in dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis.

Dextrocardia associated to situs inversus totalis is a rare congenital conditions (prevalence of 1:10,000) in which the organs are located in a symmetric or mirror position in the opposite side of the body. These individuals usually have a normal life expectancy and the same propensity to develop ischaemic coronary disease as the general population. We report a case of a 59-year-old female patient with a single-vessel obstructive coronary disease successfully resolved via a right anterior small thoracotomy on a beating-heart using the right internal thoracic artery as a conduit for 'left' anterior descending coronary artery.

Pseudoaneurisma de arteria carótida interna tratado con stent cubierto / Covered stent graft treatment of internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm

Los pseudoaneurismas de la arteria carótida interna son una complicación poco frecuente de traumatismos penetrantes o cerrados, y por lo general de tratamiento quirurgico difícil, debido a que la resolución por esta técnica requiere de amplia exposición cervical, que puede conllevar a daño de uno o varios nervios craneales o de otras extructuras incluidas las vasculares. El diagnóstico puede retardarse si el traumatismo es no penetrante. El usio de stent cubiertos es relativamente nuevo y lucen como una alternativa atractiva. Los pseudoaneurismas tienen alto riesgo de tromboembolismo por lo qu el diagnóstico oportuno es importante. Los stents cubiertos del tipo autoexpandible surgen como una alternativa interesante al tratamiento quirúrgico, con una tasa muy baja de complicaciones. Es necesario dar al paciente una antiagregaciòn plaquetaria dual (aspirina y clopidogrel) o anticoagulación.

Internal carotid artery pseudo aneurysms are a rare complication following blunt or penetrating trauma and its surgical treatment is difficult, because if they are resolved by surgery they need a large cervical exposure, wich could cause cranial nerve damage or damage of structures, such as the vasculature. The use of stent-graft is relatively new and it appears as an attractive alternative. Pseudo aneurysms have a high risk of thromboembolism, so its early detection is important. Auto-expandable Stent- grafts are an attractive alternative to surgical treatment, with a low incident of complications. It is necessary to give the patient dual antiplatelet treatment (Aspirin plus Clopidogrel) or anticoagulation. There are not studies with follow up to determine its safety and efficacy.

Aortic valve replacement for acute endocarditis via a right anterior small thoracotomy (RAST).

During the last few years, several minimally invasive operating techniques have been described to perform aortic valve replacements. We report a case of an acute aortic valve bacterial endocarditis, which was successfully dealt with a valve-replacement via a right anterior minithoracotomy through the third intercostal space.

Multivessel revascularization on the beating heart by anterolateral left thoracotomy.

BACKGROUND: Off-pump coronary artery bypass is commonly performed through a full median sternotomy; however, the tendency to reduce surgical trauma has stimulated cardiac surgeons to use less invasive techniques for single-vessel disease. The use of thoracotomy for reoperative and valvular surgery has also been reported, but its application in primary revascularization is still uncommon. We report here a series of consecutive patients who underwent complete myocardial revascularization on the beating heart through anterolateral thoracotomy-coronary artery bypass (ALT-CAB). METHODS: From November 2002 to July 2005, 255 patients (75.7% male, median age 57.9 +/- 10.1 years) underwent complete revascularization using the ALT-CAB approach. Eighty-two patients (32.2%) had low ejection fraction, 145 (56.9%) previous myocardial infarct, and 215 (84.3%) multivessel disease. The mean EuroSCORE (European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation) was 3.8 and the Parsonnet score was 7.8. RESULTS: Complete revascularization was achieved in all patients (mean number of grafts 3.3 +/- 1.0). There were no conversions to cardiopulmonary bypass, and 3 patients died (1.2%). Two hundred thirty-seven patients (93.3%) were extubated in the operating room, and 164 patients (65.1%) were discharged home within 48 hours after surgery. Two patients (0.8%) experienced a stroke and 5 (2%) needed reexploration for bleeding. There was 1 perioperative myocardial infarction (0.4%), and 14 patients (5.5%) experienced postoperative atrial fibrillation. Five patients (2%) required treatment as an outpatient for superficial wound infection, 11 (4.4%) for left pleural effusion, and 11 (4.4%) for transient phrenic nerve palsy, which resolved spontaneously. Follow-up (median, 14.6 +/- 9.7 months) survival was 97.6%. One patient (0.4%), experienced a new myocardial infarction, 9 (3.6%) required new coronary angiography for recurrent of angina, and 3 of these (1.2%) underwent angioplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Complete revascularization on the beating heart through an anterolateral thoracotomy is safe and feasible in the majority of patients requiring coronary artery surgery.

Hernia de Spiegel sintomática: a propósito de un caso / Syntomatic spiegelian hernia; apropopos a case

Se presenta un paciente masculino, de 16 años de edad, el cual consultó al Hospital Central de Valencia presentando tumoración relacionada con esfuerzos, dolorosa, localizada a nivel de la parte superior de la Línea Arcuata de Spiegel del lado derecho. Luego de proceder a su ingreso, se le practicaron los estudios paraclínicos y posteriormente la corrección quirúrgica del caso. Se analiza la descripción clínica, terapéutica y revisión de la literatura, dado lo infrecuente de esta patología, no habiéndose encontrado en los Archivos de Historias Médicas del Hospital, ningún otro caso reportado

Hernia de Spiegel: nuestra experiencia en ocho casos / Spiegel hernia: our experience in 8 cases

Presentamos una serie de 8 casos de una variedad poco frecuente de hernia de la pared abdominal, que no tiene sintomatología específica y que en la mayoría de los casos es difícil detectarla clínicamente, se trata de la hernia de Spiegel. Nuestro estudio fue realizado en el Hospital Central de Valencia, en el lapso de 1979 a 1988; 4 casos fueron del sexo femenino y 4 masculinos. La hernia se localizó en el lado derecho en 4 casos (50%), 3(37,5%) en el lado izquierdo y solo 1(12,5%), fue bilateral. El rango de edad estuvo entre 17 y 56 años. El tratamiento quirúrgico fue siempre en forma electiva, relativamente sencillo y no hemos observado recidiva en el seguimiento ulterior de los pacientes