title: Conversion from ministernotomy to full sternotomy in aortic valve replacement.
abstract: Conversion (C) from ministernotomy (M.S.) to full sternotomy was necessary in 5% of the cases in a series of 100 patients consecutively operated for Aortic Valve Replacement (A.V.R.) Analysis of the demographics and surgical techniques indicate older age, aortic fragility, diffuse coronary disease, chronic renal failure and left vent insertion as contributing factors. Despite increased operative blood losses, extra-corporeal circulation (E.C.C.) times, intensive care unit (I.C.U.) stay and hospital stay, no mortality was observed in the conversion group, as compared to 4.2% mortality in the total ministernotomy (MS) population. Preoperative patients selection, avoidance of technical pitfalls, and knowledge of alternative surgical measures are suggested to further decrease the incidence of conversions.
authors.affiliation: Service of Cardiac Surgery, C.U.B. Hospital Erasme, University of Brussels Belgium.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: De Smet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rondelet
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jansens
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Canniere
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antoine
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Le Clerc
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*