title: Port-access coronary artery bypass grafting: technique and comparative results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interest in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) continues to grow, and the techniques evolve. Our study examines the technical strategies of port-access (PA) CABG and compares results between PA CABG and conventional CABG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and twenty-nine consecutive patients underwent PA CABG from December 1996 through July 1998. Postoperative complications were compared with a matched cohort of conventional access patients. Operative technique and times were reviewed in the PA group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk assessment was 1.3 in both groups. Observed mortality was 0.9%. Complications of stroke, perioperative myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation were not significantly different between the two groups. Reoperation for bleeding was more likely in the PA group, while infections were more likely in the sternotomy group (p < 0.05). Transfusion requirements and postoperative length of stay were lower in the PA group (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early results were similar between these two low-risk cohort groups. These findings support continued careful use of port-access revascularization in low-risk patients. Close follow-up of outcomes is essential to define the appropriateness of port-access techniques in patients requiring surgical revascularization.
authors.affiliation: Owen Heart Center, Mission St. Joseph's Health System, Asheville, North Carolina, USA. mgroh@brinet.com
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Groh
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ely
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome