We describe our experience in 71 patients operated on between September 1991 and July 1993 for a variety of intracardiac procedures via right thoracotomy incision. The technique provides adequate exposure for mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and atrial septal surgery. The most significant advantage is the cosmetic result, which is highlighted.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
NeptuneWBBaileyCP. Mitral commissurotomy through the right thoracic approach: technique and indications. J Thorac Surg1954;28:15–22.
2.
LilleheiCWGottVLDeWallRAVarcoRL. The surgical treatment of stenotic or regurgitant lesions of the mitral and aortic valves by direct vision utilizing a pump-oxygenator. J Thorac Surg1958;35:154–91.
3.
StarrAEdwardsML. Mitral replacement: clinical experience with a ball-valve prosthesis. Ann Surg1961;154:726–40.
4.
EfflerDBGrovesLKMartinezWVKolffWJ. Open heart surgery for mitral insufficiency. J Thorac Surg1958;36:665–76(discussion 690–6).
5.
EllisFHJrBrandenburgROCallahanJAMarshallHW. Open heart surgery for acquired mitral insufficiency. Arch Surg1959;79:222–37.
6.
WillmanVLHanlonCR. Median sternotomy using a transverse submammary skin incision. Am J Surg1960;100:779–81.
7.
LaksHHammondGL. A cosmetically acceptable incision for the median sternotomy. J Thorac Cardovasc Surg1980;79:146–9.
8.
Brutel de laRiviere ABromGHMBromAG. Horizontal submammary skin incision for median sternotomy. Ann Thorac Surg1981;32:101–4.
9.
LancasterLLMavroudisCReesAHSlaterADGanzelBLGrayALJr. Surgical approach to atrial septal defect in the females. Rt. Thoracotomy versus sternotomy. Am Surg1990;April 56(4):218–21.
10.
DietlCATorresARFavalaroRG. Right submammarian thoracotomy in female patients with atrial septal defects and anamolous the pulmonary venous connections. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg1992;104:723–7.
11.
TribbleCGKillingerWAHarmanPKCrosbyIKNelanSPKronIL. Anterolateral thoracotomy as an alternative to repeat median sternotomy for replacement of the mitral valve. Ann Thorac Surg1987;43:380–2.
12.
SampathKumar APrasadSSantoshRaiSaxenaDKRight thoracotomy revisited. Texas Heart Institute Journal1993;20:40–2.