ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the methods and efficacy of atrial septal defect (ASD) occlusion through right chest incision.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 21 patients with ASD from July 2004 to May 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. Eight patients were male and 13 patients were female, aged from 1 to 70 years old, with the median age of 21 years old. The diameter of ASD was from 8 to 40 mm. All the 21 patients were under general anaesthesia. A 2 to 3 cm incision was made in the 4th intercostals of right side of sternum. With the help of transesophageal or normal transthoracic echocardiography, the occluder was released using monotube unit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All cases were occluded successfully without death. The types of the occluder were from 14 to 46 mm. None failed and had to choose extracorporeal circulation operations. No transfusion and no serious complication such as the occluder dislocated occurred. And no evident of atrial shunt was found when in review echo.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ASD occlusion through right chest minimal incision is safe, credit, minimal invasive and worth to use widely.</p>