[Evaluation of left parasternal approach for cardiac surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To provide a systemic evaluation of left parasternal approach (LPSA) for its clinical application.


METHODS
LPSA was performed in 6 randomly-chosen formalin-preserved adult cadavers and the excisions were evaluated in external light of the external appearance, extent of traumatic injury and exposure of the structures in the thoracic cavity.


RESULTS
LPSA left only short and less obvious skin incisions, thus causing minimal exterior appearance impairment. With a small operative field and only a few structures injured by this approach, LPSA had acceptable traumatic lesions and when the adequate intercostal level was chosen, the lateral structures on the left of the heart could be well exposed.


CONCLUSIONS
LPSA is less invasive and involves acceptable external appearance impairment. Though satisfactory in exposing the structures on the left of the heart, LPSA can not properly expose the structures on the right side.
Wang
Wen-Lin
WL
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Command, Guangzhou 510010,China.
Zeng
Wei-Sheng
WS
Cai
Kai-Can
KC
Jiang
Ren-Chao
RC
Zhong
Shi-Zhen
SZ
Wang
Wu-Jun
WJ
D002102:Cadaver; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013249:Sternum