RESUMEN
Atrial septal defect [ASD] closure by surgery is a standard method with low mortality and complication rate. Nowadays, surgeons prefer to use less invasive methods including interventional and limited thoracotomy. The aim of this study was to compare the post surgical results in two groups undergoing ASD surgery, by sternotomy or thoracotomy method. This retrospective study was performed in Shahid Madani heart hospital from 1998-2003 on 73 patients who underwent ASD surgery. Data were collected by filling out a questionnaire. Group I [thoracotomy] included 38 patients with mean age of 23.84 +/- 3.2 years and group II [complete sternotomy] included 35 patients with mean age of 21.82 +/- 2.3 years. The results were almost the same in both groups except for longer operation time [p=0.01] and shorter hospitalization period [p=0.01] in group I. Considering lower injury by surgery and better cosmetic results, ASD repair by thoracotomy seems to be a suitable method