Protection of the patent internal mammary artery by-pass graft from subsequent sternotomy.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a technique to protect the patent internal mammary artery graft from injury by repeat sternotomy. INTERVENTIONS: The internal mammary artery is dissected as far proximally as possible. The left pleural space is opened widely thus allowing the left lung to protrude through the pleural defect once mechanical ventilation is resumed. The left lung is then interposed between the internal mammary graft and the sternum. The internal mammary artery is thereby protected from adherence to the sternum and injury upon resternotomy. RESULTS: In two patients in whom this technique was employed repeat sternotomy was easily performed without injury to the internal mammary artery. CONCLUSIONS: This simple technique effectively protects the patent internal mammary artery bypass graft from injury at subsequent sternotomy.

Solitary plasmacytoma of the sternum: surgical resection with long-term follow-up.

Two patients with solitary plasmacytoma of the sternum were treated with primary surgical resection. Good long-term results were obtained. There is no long-term documentation that primary radiotherapy alone is the treatment of choice for solitary plasmacytomas. An individualized approach is warranted, especially when there is an isolated bulky lesion involving the chest wall.

Management of high-risk sternotomy wounds with retention sutures.

The authors describe a technique for reinforcing sternal wound closure that is recommended for high-risk wounds and for use after sternal dehiscence.

Prevention of ventricular fibrillation after myocardial revascularization.

Ventricular fibrillation during reperfusion after aortic cross-clamping for coronary artery bypass grafting may cause subendocardial injury. We investigated the use of lidocaine to prevent ventricular fibrillation during this period. In a blind, prospective, randomized trial, 91 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft procedures were given lidocaine (2 mg/kg) or normal saline immediately before removal of the aortic cross-clamp. The groups were similar with respect to demographic, clinical, and intraoperative variables. Myocardial preservation techniques were similar in both groups. Of 47 patients receiving lidocaine, 38 recovered a supraventricular rhythm without ventricular fibrillation, compared with only 5 of 44 patients in the control group (p less than .001). When ventricular fibrillation occurred, patients in the control group required a greater number of direct-current countershocks (2.31 versus 1.86) to convert to sinus rhythm. Transient heart block, requiring temporary pacing, developed in 3 patients in the lidocaine group, compared with 1 patient in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in the requirement for perioperative inotropic support (6 of 47 versus 6 of 44) or the number of myocardial infarctions (2 of 47 versus 1 of 44), and there were no deaths in either group. Lidocaine infusion immediately before removal of the aortic cross-clamp significantly reduces the incidence of ventricular fibrillation during the reperfusion period after cardiopulmonary bypass.

Rupture of the left main-stem bronchus with a polyvinylchloride double-lumen tube.

Double-lumen tubes have proved to be a useful adjunct in thoracic surgery. Their use has become quite commonplace, particularly since the introduction of the softer polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubes, which are technically easier to use and may carry less risk for serious complications. Any such tube, however, can cause life-threatening complications. We present a case with such a complication related to the use of a PVC double-lumen tube and make recommendations regarding the use of these tubes to minimize the risk of serious intraoperative complications.