Mini-thoracotomy for Open Heart Surgeries:Report of 810 Cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the value of mini-thoracotomy for open heart surgery.Methods From December 1995 to January 2008,810 patients including 660 cases of congenital heart diseases,129 cases of valvular heart diseases and 21 cases of heart myxoma,underwent open heart surgery by mini-thoracotomy through cardiopulmonary bypass in our hospital.Among the cases,superior median sternotomy was performed on 36 patients,inferior median sternotomy was made on 59,right parasternal mini-thoracotomy was carried out in 3,right anterolateral thoracotomy was done on 658,and right axillary mini-thoracotomy was used in 54.A total of 382 patients received beating-heart surgery.Results The postoperative mortality in our patients was 1.5%(12 cases).In this series,the mean postoperative mechanical ventilation time,drainage volume,and hospital stay were(6.7?4.2) hours,(210?165) ml,and(7.4?4.9) days respectively.421 of the patients received no blood transfusion.None of the patients developed sternal dehiscence or mediastinal infection.Follow-up was available in 690(85%) of the patients up to a mean of(48.2?25.3) months,none of them died during the period.The cardiac function of the patients was significantly improved after the operation(preparation vs postoperation 310 cases vs 478 cases for grade Ⅰ,438 vs 212 for grades Ⅱ-Ⅲ,and 62 vs 0 for grade Ⅳ,Z=-13.21,P=0.000).The mean cardiothoracic ratio was decreased significantly after the operation(0.51?0.11 vs 0.53?0.08,t=4.065,P=0.000),while the left ventricular ejection fraction was increased markedly(0.63?0.11 vs 0.57?0.11,t=-10.529,P=0.000).Conclusions The mini-thoracotomy is superior in cosmetic results and the postoperative morbidity rates of sternal malformation and infection.Proper selection of patients,good exposure of the surgical field,and skillful surgical procedures are crucial for the outcomes of the operation.