title: Limited right posterior thoracotomy approach to atrial septal defect.
abstract: Experience of atrial septal defect closure via a limited posterior thoracotomy is described. From July 1999 to May 2001, 75 prepubertal girls with a median age of 7 years (range, 3 to 13 years) and a median weight of 18 kg (range, 10 to 46 kg) underwent atrial septal defect closure through a limited right posterior thoracotomy. All but 2 patients had an uneventful postoperative recovery. The median duration of ventilation was 13.3 hours (range, 4 to 24 hours). Median hospital stay was 6 days (range, 6 to 8 days). All patients were followed up for 7 to 32 months (mean, 15 months). The wounds healed well without any restriction of limb movement. The limited posterior thoracotomy gave excellent cosmetic results and can be used as a safe alternative approach for atrial septal defect closure in prepubertal females.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre Cochin, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Gopalraj S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Sunil
authors.forename: Sajan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koshy
authors.forename: Seetharaman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhinakar
authors.forename: Krishnanaik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shivaprakasha
authors.forename: Suresh G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors