Autologous Pericardial Patch Repair for Papillary Fibroelastoma on an Aortic Valve Leaflet.

A 50-year-old man with no history of cardiovascular disease was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal electrocardiogram. Echocardiograms and computed tomograms revealed a 9-mm mass on the underside of an aortic valve leaflet. We chose surgical treatment, to prevent embolic events. The tumor's appearance and intraoperative frozen section were consistent with myxoma. We resected the tumor and its attachment, including the free margin of the aortic valve leaflet, and repaired the defect with use of a glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardial patch. The postoperative histopathologic diagnosis was papillary fibroelastoma. Six months later, echocardiograms showed mild aortic regurgitation and no recurrence of the aortic valve mass. Papillary fibroelastoma and myxoma can be difficult to distinguish intraoperatively, yet the diagnosis has considerable influence on the surgical strategy, including whether valve-sparing excision is an option. Therefore, it is necessary to at least suspect both entities if the tumor characteristics are unusual. This case is instructive for surgeons and pathologists.

[Feasibility of the use of absorbable sutures for closure of the sternum in adult cardiac surgery].

Steel wires are commonly used to close median sternotomy during adult cardiac surgery. Disruption or infection of the sternum can occure in 0.3~8% of those patients. We report the use of absorbable sutures for the closure of sternotomy. Three figure of 8 ligations were made. Cranial side suture was placed through the sternal manubrium. Other sutures were placed through the intercostal spaces.Sutures were tied 6 or 7 times. Braided #2 polyglactin suture were used in a consecutive 150 patients. Looped (double) #1 monofilament polyglyconate sutures were used in a subsequent 150 patients. Both sutures with blunt needle are commercially available. None of the patients in either group required re-exploration of the sternum for bleeding and tamponade, and none developed wound infections or mediastinitis. Five patients in the polyglactin group developed seroma and/or instability of the sternum after more than 2 postoperative weeks, but none required surgical refixation of the sternum. These 5 patients had diabetes, chronic renal failure, autoimmune disease and/or chronic lung diseases. None of the patients in the polyglyconate group developed any trouble in their sternum. We conclude that polyglyconate sutures demonstrate good potential for use in closure of the sternum.

Adjustable tricuspid annuloplasty.

The methods for repairing functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) are still controversial. A novel concept of tricuspid annuloplasty for functional TR was developed. A flexible annuloplasty band, through which an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) thread (CV3) was passed inside the cover cloth, was secured to the tricuspid annulus. Both ends of the ePTFE thread were passed through the right atrial wall. The thread was snared from outside the ejecting heart under observation by a transoesophageal echocardiogram after weaning off the cardiopulmonary bypass. We used this technique in 11 patients with functional TR (mean TR grade: 3.4 ± 0.8). The mean circumference of the annulus after snaring was 86.5 ± 4.6 mm (diameter 27.6 ± 1.5 mm). The postoperative TR at discharge was trivial or 0 in 9 patients and Grade 1 in 2. We concluded that this method has the potential to minimize residual regurgitation.

[Toward a paradigm for universal procedures of valve repair].

We developed novel methods to simplify valve repair techniques.Adequate exposure is crucial for mitral valve surgery. The right side of the pericardium is sutured to the chest wall, and both cava are mobilized and hitched up to the left. Then a longitudinal incision of the right side of the left atrium allows excellent exposure of the mitral valve.We have developed a new device for replace neochordae. This double-armed, double-hooked device is inserted through the loop formed by the neochordae, which is anchored on the papillary muscle and pass through the prolapsing segment. The device pulls up both leaflets and maintains the neochordae at the same length as that of the opposing normal chordae during tying slippery neochordae.A simple method to repair large prolapsing posterior leaflet was developed. The middle of the prolapsed portion is cut, and both sides are laid each other. The water test is made to confirm accurate closure,and 2 layers are sutured.A novel method for adjustable tricuspid annuloplasty was developed. A flexible annuroplasty band,through which an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) thread was passed, was secured to the tricuspid annulus. The thread was snared from outside of the ejecting heart under observation by echocardiogram.

Self-covered technique for a varix on a saphenous vein graft.

We describe a simple technique for eliminating a varix on a saphenous vein graft (SVG). The SVG with varix is passed through a short section of the saphenous vein, and the varix is covered by the short cylinder of the vein. Both parts are fixed by arterial pressure, which expands the SVG. This technique was used in two SVGs in 2 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The grafts were investigated by angiography 1 year after the surgery, and the patency without varix was confirmed. This simple method is feasible to repair a varix of the SVG.

A device for ensuring the neochordae replacement in mitral valve repair.

We have developed a new device for maintaining artificial chordae at the appropriate length during the tying of Gore-Tex sutures (W. L. Gore and Assoc, Flagstaff, AZ). This double-armed, double-hooked device is inserted through the loop formed by the neochordae, which is anchored in the papillary muscle and passed through the prolapsing segment. The device pulls up both leaflets and maintains the neochordae at the same length as that of the opposing normal chordae. The prolapsed leaflet is suspended at the same height as the facing leaflet, enabling the accurate and reproducible placement of neochordae.

Surgical repair of pectus excavatum not requiring exogenous implants in 113 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Pectus excavatum is relatively common congenital chest deformity that is often accompanied by physical and psychological impairment. The surgical methods for pectus excavatum repair are the subject of some controversy. We review our experience using a procedure in which the introduction of exogenous material is unnecessary. METHODS: From July 1993 to March 2008, 113 patients underwent surgical repair of pectus excavatum. Sterno-costal elevation was adopted for 102 patients, including all of the paediatric patients and most of the adults. Sternal turnover was employed for 11 adult patients with severe asymmetric deformities. In sterno-costal elevation, a section of the third or fourth to the seventh costal cartilages as well as the lower tip of the sternum below the sixth cartilage junction are resected, and all of the cartilage stumps are re-sutured to the sternum. The secured ribs generate 0.5-10 kg of tension, pulling the sternum bilaterally, such that the resultant force causes the sternum to rise anteriorly. These forces are sufficient to correct the deformities and to prevent flail chest. In sternal turnover, the sternum is cut at the third intercostal space. The lower part of the sternum is turned over and fixed to the upper sternum with an overlap of 1cm. Sections of the third to the seventh rib cartilages are resected and affixed in the same fashion as in sterno-costal elevation. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths, and in all cases the deformities were corrected satisfactorily. Ninety-nine patients (88%) were graded as Excellent, and the remaining 14 (12%) were graded Good. None of the patients developed any life-threatening complications. No patient reported residual pain. No re-operations were required for any reasons. The patients resumed daily activities of all types, including contact sports, within 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that morbidity is one of the most important factors to be considered in operative invasions. Our technique represents a less-invasive and lower-risk procedure for the repair of pectus excavatum in any age group.

Intracardiac calipers for artificial chordae replacement in mitral valve repair.

Length adjustment of artificial chordae is crucial in the outcome of anterior mitral valve repair. Herein, a simple and reproducible method of artificial chordal replacement using polytetrafluoroethylene suture is described. With this technique, the length of the neo-chordae is easily decided and the knot can be tied surely without change in the length using only one instrument.