title: Improved method for direct coronary grafting without CPB via anterolateral small thoracotomy.
abstract: We describe an improved method of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting that facilitates the anastomosis on the beating heart by means of a rigid and simple coronary stabilizer. This technique permits anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending coronary artery through a small (8 to 10 cm) left anterolateral thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. We successfully used this technique in 20 primary coronary artery bypass grafting operations, without in-hospital mortality or any other cardiac complication.
authors.affiliation: Thorax Center, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Boonstra
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Grandjean
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mariani
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013908:Thoracotomy