Left thoracotomy for reoperations in myocardium revascularization.
OBJECTIVE
To describe patient selection criteria, surgical technique and early outcomes in patients undergoing reoperative coronary artery bypass surgery (RECABG) through a left thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).


METHODS
Eight patients with patent grafts to the anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery (four of which had also patent grafts to the right coronary artery) requiring revascularization of the circumflex coronary system had redo-CABG without CPB through a left posterolateral thoracotomy.


RESULTS
There was no in-hospital mortality or serious postoperative complications. All patients are angina-free.


CONCLUSIONS
An off-pump redo-CABG through a left posterolateral thoracotomy may reduce risks attributable to resternotomy in patients who met the selection criteria.
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000601:surgery*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome