BACKGROUND Penetrating cardiac injuries are high-risk, high-mortality injuries considering the outcomes. Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate incision. In general clinical settings, thoracotomy and median sternotomy are choices of incisions to explore the injury. In this study, the results of median sternotomy and thoracotomy in penetrating cardiac injuries were compared. METH...

The performance of cardiac surgical procedures via median sternotomy in a patient with a tracheostomy can result in difficult problems, such as mediastinitis, stoma necrosis or inadequate operative exposure. We present a case of successful treatment for aortic valve regurgitation in a patient with a tracheostomy using a T-shaped sternotomy instead of a usual median sternotomy. This approach per...

BACKGROUND Surgical closure of isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD) through partial inferior sternotomy offers the advantages of a much shorter, cosmetically superior skin incision, potentially improved sternal stability, a lower rate of infection, and less postoperative pain. We report our technique and results of use of inferior partial sternotomy for closure of isolated VSD in children. ...

Background Cardiac redo surgery, especially after a full sternotomy, is considered a high-risk procedure. Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) is a potential therapeutic approach. However, current developments in interventional cardiology necessitate additional discussion regarding the therapy of choice in high-risk patients. In this context, it is necessary to clarify the perioperat...

BACKGROUND Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Our study explores the value of NLR in predicting long-term mortality after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery (MICS) via lateral left-thoracotomy versus conventional sternotomy coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. METHODS A total of 1126 consecutive patients (729 st...

BACKGROUND Advanced age is a major predictor of poor outcome in patients undergoing valve surgery. We hypothesized that elderly patients who underwent minimally invasive valve surgery for aortic or mitral valve disease would do better when compared with those undergoing the standard median sternotomy. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 2,107 consecutive heart operations at our institution an...

Seventeen out of 929 consecutive patients (1.8%) who underwent open-heart surgery during the last three years developed dehiscence of the sternotomy. Infection was the most common cause of dehiscence and occurred more often after reopening of the incision to control bleeding or relieve tamponade. We describe a one stage closure which was used in all 17 cases. A successful result was obtained in...

The presence of substernal goiter is, per se, an indication for surgical management. Surgical approach of substernal goiter can most commonly be performed using the cervical access, but at times, a sternotomy or thoracotomy is necessary. The aim of this study was to identify the preoperative predictors of a sternotomy in the management of substernal goiter in order to provide better preoperativ...

OBJECTIVE To compare inverted-L mini-sternotomy performed above the sternal furcula with conventional sternotomy in patients with aortic valve diseases who undergo surgical treatment. METHODS We operated upon 30 patients who had aortic valve lesions that had clinical and hemodynamic findings. All patients underwent inverted-L sternotomy, which extended from above the manubrium of the sternum ...