title: A new minimally invasive technique to occlude ventricular septal defect using an occluder device.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was to evaluate ventricular septal defect occlusion using a lower mini-sternotomy approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven cases with ventricular septal defect underwent general anesthesia and a 3 to 4 cm lower mini-sternotomy incision was made. Using transesophageal echocardiography, the occluder was released using a mono-tubed unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cases were occluded successfully. No patient required open heart surgery using extracorporeal circulation. There were no major complications and no evidence of residual ventricular shunt.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ventricular septal defect occlusion through a minimal surgical incision is safe, less invasive, and has an excellent outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai, China. ciqic@online.sh.cn
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: ZhaoKun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: WeiHua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D019736:Prostheses and Implants