Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jun 2013
Comparative StudySternal closure after median sternotomy: a new technique using titanium hooks and wires applied parasternally.
Osteosynthetic closure of the chest after median sternotomy is usually performed with steel wires. We describe, for the first time, a case series in which titanium hooks were implanted from the sternal surface in patients who required secondary or additional stabilization. In comparison to the classic wires, the diameters of the hooks are approximately three times bigger and therefore reduce the risk of cutting through the bones. Additionally, there is no need to dissect retrosternal adhesions, which may reduce the risk of injuring mediastinal tissues. ⋯ This sternal closure system using titanium hooks inserted parasternally is an effective alternative to conventional techniques and may increase stability of the breastbone and reduce the risk of injury to retrosternal tissues.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jun 2013
Liberal use of axillary artery cannulation for aortic and complex cardiac surgery.
Axillary artery cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass has been described previously as a safe and reliable technique, with a low risk of atheroemboli, avoidance of malperfusion in aortic dissection and facilitation of selective antegrade cerebral perfusion during hypothermic circulatory arrest. The aim of this study was to document the broad applicability of axillary cannulation and its associated morbidity and identify where it was not possible to use planned axillary cannulation. ⋯ Axillary artery cannulation is an ideal arterial inflow site in cases where the ascending aorta is unsuitable as it is safe, reliable and reduces the risks of atheroembolization and malperfusion. Major complications are rare with this meticulous technique and it is our standard practice in complex cardiac and aortic surgery.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · Jun 2013
Case ReportsPrimary repair of sternal cleft in infancy using combined periosteal flap and sliding osteochondroplasty.
Sternal clefts are rare congenital malformations of the chest wall. Immediate correction in neonates or in infancy is beneficial in terms of providing skeletal cover with little or no need for any prosthetic material for reconstruction. In the absence of internal midline defects, one should aim to provide complete correction when the chest wall is still compliant, and cardiorespiratory compromise is expected to be least after correction. We report on 2 children who underwent primary sternal-cleft repair using a periosteal advancement flap along with mobilization of lateral sternal bars after sliding osteotomy of corresponding ribs.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · May 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEfficacy and safety of human fibrinogen-thrombin patch (TachoSil®) in the treatment of postoperative air leakage in patients submitted to redo surgery for lung malignancies: a randomized trial.
Previous studies of the human fibrinogen-thrombin patch TachoSil® for air leak management in thoracic surgery have excluded patients undergoing redo surgery, a group at high risk of persistent air leaks. This is the first study to assess TachoSil® in patients undergoing redo surgery. ⋯ TachoSil® was superior to standard stapling and suturing aerostatic techniques in reducing postoperative air leaks in patients undergoing redo thoracic surgery.
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Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialSuperior haemodynamic stability during off-pump coronary surgery with thoracic epidural anaesthesia: results from a prospective randomized controlled trial.
Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery is a technically more demanding strategy of myocardial revascularization compared with the standard on-pump technique. Thoracic epidural anaesthesia, by reducing sympathetic stress, may ameliorate the haemodynamic changes occurring during OPCAB surgery. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the impact of thoracic epidural anaesthesia on intraoperative haemodynamics in patients undergoing OPCAB surgery. ⋯ Thoracic epidural with general anaesthesia minimizes the intraoperative haemodynamic changes that occur during heart positioning and stabilization for distal coronary anastomosis in OPCAB surgery.