Less invasive cardiac surgery via partial sternotomy

Background: Less invasive cardiac surgery is widely adopted nowadays. Upper or lower partial sternotomy is an approach for less invasive cardiac surgery. We report results of less invasive cardiac surgery via partial sternotomy. Methods: From August 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010, 35 patients underwent cardiac surgery via upper or lower partial sternotomy. The preoperative characteristics, operative variables, mortality, and morbidity were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Thirty-five patients underwent cardiac surgery via partial sternotomy during the study period. Eleven patients (31%) were female. The mean age was 66 ± 11 years (range 38 to 88). Seven patients underwent aortic valve replacement via upper partial sternotomy. Simultaneous mitral valve replacement was done in one patient. Lower partial sternotomy was done in 28 patients. Sixteen patients received mitral valve replacement. Three patients underwent mitral valve repair. Concomitant tricuspid valve repair was done in eight patients. Two patients received aortic valve replacement. One patient had replacement of aortic and mitral valve replacement. One patient had repair of tricuspid valve. Two patients received LIMA anastomosis to the LAD. Two patients underwent emergent repair of the right ventricle. One patient had resection of myxoma in the left atrium. Direct cannulation of the aorta and right atrium was used for cardiopulmonary bypass in 15 patients (48%). Both antegrade and retrograde administration of cardioplegia solution was used routinely for myocardial protection. There was no mortality. Two patients developed respiratory failure. One patient suffered unstable sternum. One patient required conversion to full sternotomy. No patient suffered mediastinitis or groin wound infection. Conclusion: Upper or lower partial sternotomy provides adequate exposure for various kind of cardiac surgery. Conventional cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegia solution administration can be used. The immediate preliminary outcome was acceptable.