title: [Median re-sternotomy for aortic valve re-replacement assisted by video-assisted thoracic surgery].
abstract: Cardiac reoperation via a median re-sternotomy is associated with a high risk of injury to cardiac structures and the great vessels, and may result in massive bleeding. We report a case of aortic valve re-replacement, and severe adhesion was suspected between the sternum and the left brachiocephalic vein by preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans. To avoid injury to the vein, the adhesive tissue was dissected under video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Then median re-sternotomy was performed safely, and the aortic valve was replaced again. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Since sternal adhesions are checked and dissected visually, concomitant VATS might be a very useful option after previous cardiac surgery.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Matsue Red Cross Hospital, Matsue, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Saitoh
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Isowa
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Sakaguchi
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Setozaki
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Harada
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Soeda