INTRODUCTION Degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is the most frequent cause among aortic valve stenotic changes. Mini Sternotomy Aortic Valve Replacement is a replacement of aortic valve through upper partial sternotomy. AIM The aim of this approach is to improve postoperative convalescence by leaving pleural spaces closed and do not compromise respiratory function, to decrease bleeding, and re...

A technique of combined minimally invasive coronary artery surgery and abdominal aneurysm repair is described. A mini-sternotomy and off-pump coronary artery bypasses to the left descending branch and right coronary arteries are conducted before abdominal aneurysm repair in a simultaneous operation. q 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

An elderly lady was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism after being admitted to hospital with pyelonephritis and constipation. A sestamibi parathyroid scan demonstrated increased uptake in the upper mediastinum, suggesting an ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. The 4-mm adenoma was successfully removed through a mini-sternotomy incision using a gamma probe to identify the gland from...

Clinically significant pericardial effusion is an uncommon complication after cardiac surgery. Pericardiocentesis can be performed either through a mini-sternotomy or under echocardiography guidance. Echocardiography guidance is a relatively safe procedure and it avoids the need for another general anaesthetic. However, in this post cardiac surgical patient echocardiography guided pericardiocen...

Background. Total sternotomy for aortic valve replacement has been superseded by less invasive approaches such as mini-sternotomy or transcatheter procedures. There an exponential uptake in implantation (TAVI) younger and lower risk patients following recent randomized trials. This study aims to compare the outcomes of with stenosis treated minimally approaches: (mini-AVR) TAVI implantation. Me...

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting utilising an anterior mini-thoracotomy has traditionally been limited to surgical revascularisation for single or double vessel coronary disease. The widespread use of percutaneous coronary intervention has further limited the use of this technique. Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting offers the advantage of avoidin...

BACKGROUND Concerns remain that minimally invasive atrial septal defect (ASD) repair may compromise patient outcomes. We compared clinical outcomes of adult patients undergoing ASD repair via a minimally invasive endoscopic approach versus a "gold standard" sternotomy. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent ASD patch repair at our insti...