The Effects of Right Anterolateral Thoracotomy in Cardiac Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

Twenty-three patients underwent operations to repair a congenital heart disease through right anterolateral thoracotomy(RALT) between December 1989 and December 1996. Defects repaired 22 atrial septum(13 ostium secundum;3 lower sepal defect;4 posterior septal defect;1 sinus venosus;1 ostium primum) and 1 ventricular septal defect. There was no operative mortality or late morbidity directly related to RALT. The RALT incision is a safe and effective method to a median sternotomy in selective patients(especicially female). The cosmetic results are very good during the follow up periods.