title: Intraoperative ablation of atrial fibrillation - replication of the Cox's maze III procedure with re-usable radiofrequency and cryoablation devices.
abstract: The cut and sew Cox's maze III procedure is time-consuming. Therefore, various energy sources have been used for ablation, to replace the cut and sew technique. We have used the bipolar radiofrequency output of a standard electrosurgical generator with re-usable forceps for replicating the Cox's maze III procedure from August 1996. In addition, re-usable nitrous oxide based cryoprobe has been used at the atrioventricular valve annuli and on the coronary sinus. The 85.7% cure rate at one year compares with that for surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation using alternative energy sources.
authors.affiliation: Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patwardhan