44 Cases of totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery for atrial myxoma

Abstract

Objective To Summarize the experience of totally thoracoscopic operation for atrial myxoma.Methods From December 2007 to November 2011,44 patients with atrial myxoma,including 37 cases of Left atrial myxoma,6 cases of Right atrial myxoma,1 case of double atrial myxoma were treated totally under thoracoscope.Surgical procedures were performed through 3 troears inserted at the right chest wall,and catheters were placed in the right femoral artery and vein (or in the right atrium,femoral vein)to set up extracorporeal circulation.The ascending aorta was cross-clamped with long tailor-made forceps and the myocardium was protected by coronary perfusion with cold crystalloid (blood) cardioplegia.Results All the operations were completed successfully.The mean extracorporeal circulation and cross-clamping time were (49 ± 18 )min and (28 ± 10) min respectively.Postoperative ventilation was withdrawn in(3.8 ± 1.4) h,and the patients were discharged from the hospital in (6.8 ± 1.3 ) d.3 of the patients had postoperative complications,including 1 case of fat liquefaction of the incision at the right groin ( delayed healing),2 cases of subcutaneous emphysema ( healed by bandaged chest).No severe complications occurred in this series.UCG performed 3 - 5 days after the operation revealed surgical results were satisfactory.Followup up to 2 months to 4 years were available in all cases.During the period,the heart function was confirmed as level Ⅰ.Conclusion Video-assisted thoraeoseopie cardiac surgery is feasible,safe,and minimal invasive for patients,resulting in quick recovery and good cosmetic outcomes. Key words: Thoracoscopy; Cardiac neoplasms; Myxoma; Cardiac surgical procedures