Ministernotomy for correction of ventricular septal defect.
BACKGROUND
The development of minimally invasive surgery in the adult has created motivation for similar approaches in the congenital heart domain. Over the past 20 years, this type of surgery has been advocated in an effort to reduce costs related to hospital stay, and to improve the cosmetic results. We report our experience with ventricular septal defect repair utilizing a ministernotomy incision.


METHODS
From August 2014 to August 2015, 26 patients underwent ministernotomy for correction of ventricular septal defect at our center. All patients were between the ages of 14 months-old to 24 years-old with weight ranged from 7.5 to 54 kg (median weight 12 kg). Diagnoses were confirmed with echocardiography. We analysed in-hospital and 6 months follow-up outcomes of the group.


RESULTS
All defects were corrected successfully with satisfactory exposure. The median cardiopulmonary bypass time was 64 min, and median cross clamp time was 42 min. The intensive care unit stay ranged from 1 day to 3 days (median ICU stay, 1.5 days) and the hospital stay ranged from 4 to 13 days (median hospital stay, 5 days). There were no deaths during the operation or severe postoperative complications. No residual shunts were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ministernotomy for the correction of ventricular septal defect with improved cosmetic results in patients greater than 7.5 kg. This aprroach can be used in either the transatrial or transarterial approach, and in smaller weight infants.
Cardiovascular Surgery Department, University Medical Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. dranhtuanvo@gmail.com.|, 108B Nguyen Van Luong Appartment, Ward 12, District 6, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. dranhtuanvo@gmail.com.
Anh Tuan
AT
Vo
Cardiovascular Surgery Department, University Medical Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Thien Tam
TT
Vu
Cardiovascular Surgery Department, University Medical Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Dinh Hoang
DH
Nguyen
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014744:Vietnam; D055815:Young Adult
Ventricular septal defect; minimally invasive surgery; ministernotomy