Objective: Perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect through midline sternotomy avoids the cardiopulmonary bypass, however, lacks the cosmetic advantage. Perventricular device closure of ventricular septal defect with transverse split sternotomy was performed to add the cosmetic advantage of mini-invasive technique. Methods: Thirty-six pediatric patients with mean age 7.14±3....

OBJECTIVE In redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), repeat median sternotomy is a routine approach when the graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is occluded. However, it is important to avoid injury to the patent graft to LAD during repeat sternotomy. We retrospectively reviewed our cases to assess our combined strategy for a safer redo CABG. METHODS The study group compri...

Despite the large choice of wide-spectrum antibiotic therapy, deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following cardiac surgery is a life-threatening complication worldwide. This study evaluated that the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) applied inside the sternotomy wound would reduce the effect of sternal wound infections, both superficial and deep. Between January 2007 and January 2012, 1093 con...

BACKGROUND Reoperation for congenital heart disease may be associated with cardiac or vascular injuries during repeat sternotomy, resulting in increased mortality and/or morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of these cardiac injuries and the associated outcome. METHODS Between January 2012 and December 2013, 4256 sternotomy procedures were performed at the Pedi...

The efficacy of nitroglycerine, verapamil and nifedipine in controlling post-sternotomy hypertension was compared in four groups of 20 patients anaesthetized with fentanyl 100 micrograms kg-1 undergoing elective coronary artery surgery. Vasodilators were started before surgery and adjusted to maintain systolic arterial pressure less than 120% of pre-infusion values, the mean (+/- SEM) requireme...

OBJECTIVE Midline sternotomy is the preferred approach for device migration following transcatheter device closure of ostium secundum atrial septal defect. Results of patients operated for device migration were retrospectively reviewed after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect. METHODS Among the 643 patients who underwent atrial septal defect with closure device, 15 (2.3%) patients ...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain and pulmonary function during the postoperative period after thoracic surgery by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. METHODS The search strategy included MEDLINE, PEDro, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE and LILACS, besides a manual search, from inception to August, 2011. R...

BACKGROUND Although right parasternal approach (RPA) decreases the incidence of mediastinal infection, this approach is associated with lung hernia and flail chest. Our RPA employs thoracotomy with bending rib cartilages and wound closure performed by repositioning the ribs with underlying sheet reinforcement. METHODS We evaluated 16 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement via the RPA...

A young woman with nonthymomic myasthenia gravis with failure of medical treatment was offered thymectomy through partial sternotomy. Shifting of vertical arm of "L" incision laterally avoids fracture of opposite sternal flange and provides better sternal stability postoperatively.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer can be diagnosed easily in most cases. However, occasionally, we are faced with some conditions that can mimic it. These may include inflammations, benign tumors, cysts, hematomas, or, more rarely, focal necrosis. CASE PRESENTATION This report presents a case of focal breast necrosis following myocardial revascularization with the left internal mammary artery, which i...