Left thoracotomy for reoperations in myocardium revascularization.

OBJECTIVE To describe patient selection criteria, surgical technique and early outcomes in patients undergoing reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery (RECABG) through a left thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS Eight patients with patent grafts to the anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery (four of which had also patent grafts to the right coronary artery) requiring revascularization of the circumflex coronary system had redo-CABG without CPB through a left posterolateral thoracotomy. RESULTS There was no in-hospital mortality or serious postoperative complications. All patients are angina-free. CONCLUSIONS An off-pump redo-CABG through a left posterolateral thoracotomy may reduce risks attributable to resternotomy in patients who met the selection criteria.