Transaxillary minithoracotomy in intrathoracic surgery for 316 infants and children.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce the technique of intrathoracic surgery performed through vertical transaxillary minithoracotomy.


METHODS
From March 1989 to March 2001, 316 patients underwent intrathoracic surgery through a vertical transaxillary minithoracotomy. 285 patients suffered from patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), 10 congenital esophageal atresia, 8 congenital pulmonary cysts, 6 congenital emphysema, 1 pulmonary sequestration, 5 mediastinal tumor, and 1 eventration of the diaphragm.


RESULTS
All of the patients were successfully treated under satisfactory exposure. No operative mortality and severe postoperative complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrathoracic surgery performed through a vertical transaxillary minithoracotomy appears to be less invasive, and is a simple, safe, cosmetically acceptable and efficient approach.
Shu
Qiang
Q
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China. shu_qiang@hotmail.com
Zhang
Zewei
Z
Zhu
Xiongkai
X
Li
Jianhua
J
Lin
Ru
R
Yu
Jiangen
J
Chen
Zili
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D001365:Axilla; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000601:surgery; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*