Challenging a dogma: left ventriculotomy can be used safely in children.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to discuss our unit's experience performing left ventriculotomies on children. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2022, we identified paediatric patients who required left ventriculotomy. Relevant information was gathered retrospectively. RESULTS: There were eight patients who underwent surgical procedure including left ventriculotomy. The range of weight and age was between 4.5 and 50 kg and 5 months to 17 years, respectively. Left ventriculotomy was primarily performed for the excision of cardiac masses in all but one who had pseudoaneurysm repair. There were no deaths that occurred early or late. Pre-operative and post-operative ejection fractions and fractional shortening values were comparable. There was no arrhythmia detected post-operatively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that an apical left ventriculotomy does not compromise the function of the left ventricle, even in young infants. In selected patients, it may be used safely for surgical access to the left ventricle.

Technique for Adaptation of Konno Aortoventriculoplasty in Patient-Prosthesis Mismatch.

The patient-prosthesis mismatch has been reported as an important cause of adverse outcome following aortic valve replacement. The relief of patient-prosthesis mismatch generally requires a reoperation of comprehensive nature, which necessitates an extensive aortic root enlargement. The Konno aortoventriculoplasty represents an efficient treatment option, as this technique provides both extreme root enlargement and relief of the frequently associated subvalvular obstruction. However, the application and conduct of the procedure may somewhat differ from the pediatric Konno procedures.This article describes our surgical technique adaptation in Konno-aortoventriculoplasty for adult patient-prosthesis mismatch cases, highlighting the differing points from the pediatric-Konno.

Comparison of risk scoring systems in congenital heart surgery.

Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Cardiovascular Surgery; data of 413 patients under 18 years old who had congenital heart surgery were evaluated between 01.01.2011-30.10.2012 and risk scorings were made by "RACHS-1 (Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery)", "Aristotle Basic Complexity Score (ABS)" and "Aristotle Comprehensive Complexity Score (ACS)" systems used in evaluation of the risk of mortality and morbidity in (ACS)" systems used in evaluation of the risk of mortality and morbidity in congenital heart surgery. Data obtained were compared by Mann-Whitney U test and how effective these systems were in evaluating mortality and morbidity and their superiorities over each other were examined. Following the research, it was observed that all three systems were effective in evaluating mortality and morbidity; the most successful of them in foreseeing the event was the ACS system, ACS system was followed by RACHS-1 system and ABS system was the most incapable of these in foreseeing the event. It was seen that in detecting time related mortality, rating of these tests changed, RACHS-1 system detected the time related mortality best. It was also seen that with RACHS-1 system, a previously evaluated concept, it was possible to determine morbidity.

A giant hydatid cyst atypically located in the left ventricle.

Cardiac hydatidosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening infestation. Cardiac hydatid cysts generally occur in the left ventricle; followed by the atria, the free wall of the right ventricle, the pericardium and the interventricular septum. Herein, we report a 17-year-old girl with a giant left ventricle cyst who was previously treated by interventional methods for liver and lung hydatid cysts. The cardiac cyst was removed with cardiopulmonary bypass support.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Pleurectomy in Spontaneous Pneumothorax Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Published experiences with thoracoscopic apical or total pleurectomy for patients with a pneumothorax are limited. We aimed to evaluate the long-term results and effectiveness of pleurectomy in our patients, that vast majority of whom underwent thoracoscopic apical or total pleurectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2001 and December 2010, in the Istanbul University Medical School Department of Thoracic Surgery, 67 patients, consisting of 52 patients with a primary spontaneous pneumothorax and 15 with a secondary spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent 72 processes of thoracoscopic resection of blebs or bullae and pleural symphysis, consisting of 43% total pleurectomy, 42% apical pleurectomy plus pleural abrasion, and 15% non-pleurectomy pleurodesis procedures due to prolonged air leak or recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, were analyzed retrospectively. The applied pleural procedures were: 1. total pleurectomy 2. apical pleurectomy and pleural abrasion for the remaining parts and 3. non-pleurectomy pleurodesis procedures. The long-term outcomes of patients undergoing the three different pleural procedures were compared. RESULTS: Total pleurectomy process, apical pleurectomy and abrasion process for remaining parietal pleura, and non-pleurectomy pleurodesis procedures were performed 31, 30, and 11 times, respectively. No recurrence was observed in the total pleurectomy group, 1 recurrence was observed for the apical pleurectomy plus pleural abrasion group, and 2 recurrences were observed for the non-pleurectomy group. CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thoracoscopic pleurectomy is a safe and effective method in spontaneous pneumothorax surgery. Especially, total pleurectomy has efficient results in the prevention of recurrences.