title: Complete muscle-sparing technique in axillary closure of atrial septal defects.
abstract: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is gaining wide acceptance. The midaxillary approach hides the incision under the right arm. Concerns may arise regarding functional recovery should the latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscles be affected by this maneuver. A modified technique that spares both muscles, without splitting their fibers, is described. Six patients have been operated on, with excellent functional and cosmetic results, and no side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Hospital Carlos Haya, Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan-Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gil-Jaurena
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Mayte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D056888:Patient Positioning; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cardiac surgical procedures; atrial; heart septal defects; minimally invasive; surgical procedures; thoracotomy