BackgroundThe aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to compare early and midterm clinical hemodynamic results aortic valve replacement with rapid-deployment bioprostheses performed through conventional full-sternotomy vs mini-sternotomy.MethodsData from the Italian registry (INTU-ITA registry) were analyzed. Patients divided into 2 groups: full sternotomy (FS) ministernotomy (MS). Pri...

A mini-sternotomy is described that allows access to both thoracic cavities. This technique offers excellent exposure for lung resections from chest cavities without the invasiveness of a formal thoracotomy.

An important goal in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery is reducing surgical trauma to achieve faster recovery for our patients. Mini-Bentall procedure encompasses aortic root and ascending aortic replacement with re-implantation of coronary buttons, performed via a mini-sternotomy. The skin incision extends from the angle of Louis to the third intercostal space, usually measuring 5-7 cm in le...

Minimally invasive approach for aortic valve surgery has been developed since 1995, reducing the complications related to the full sternotomy. We have introduced a new method for central cannulation that reduces the length of surgical incision for the aortic valve replacement through upper mini-sternotomy. To improve the surgical view without enlargement of the incision, two small additional in...

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (MICS-CABG) and minimally invasive valve surgery (MIVS) have been used independently to manage occlusive coronary artery disease and valvular diseases, respectively. We present 12 patients who underwent combined MICS-CABG and MIVS via bilateral mini-thoracotomies. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 116 consecutive valve/CABG opera...

Papillary fibroelastomas are rare primary tumours of cardiac origin accounting for approximately 10% of all primary cardiac neoplasms. Due to a high thromboembolic risk, surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment in these patients and median sternotomy the most widely used approach. We describe the case of a 43 year-old lady presenting with acute myocardial infarction secondary to aortic va...