Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2012 Aug;45(4):225-229.

Comparative Analysis of Thoracotomy and Sternotomy Approaches in Cardiac Reoperation

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Korea. cheehk@hanmail.net

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Reoperation of cardiac surgery via median sternotomy can be associated with significant complications. Thoracotomy is expected to reduce the risk of reoperation and to enhance the surgical outcomes. We retrospectively analyzed two operative approaches (thoracotomy vs. sternotomy) in cardiac reoperation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From September 2007 to December 2010, 35 patients who required reoperation of the mitral valvular disease following previous median sternotomy were included. Average age of patients was 45.8+/-15.4 years (range, 14 to 76 years) and male-to-female was 23:12. Interval period between primary operation and reoperation was 135.8+/-105.6 months (range, 3.3 to 384.9 months).
RESULTS
Comparative analysis was done dividing the patient group into two groups that are thoracotomy group (22 patients) and sternotomy group (13 patients). Thoracotomy group was significantly lower in operative time (415.2+/-90.3 vs. 497.5+/-148.0, p<0.05), bleeding control time (108.0+/-29.5 vs. 146.4+/-66.8, p<0.05) and chest tube drainage (287.5+/-211.5 mL vs. 557.3+/-365.5 mL, p<0.05) compared to sternotomy group.
CONCLUSION
The thoracotomy approach is superior to sternotomy in some variables, and it is considered as a valid alternative to repeat median sternotomy in patients who underwent a previous median sternotomy.

Keyword

Reoperation; Complication; Sternotomy; Thoracotomy

MeSH Terms

Chest Tubes
Drainage
Hemorrhage
Humans
Operative Time
Reoperation
Retrospective Studies
Sternotomy
Thoracic Surgery
Thoracotomy
Full Text Links
  • KJTCS
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr