Objective: This study aims to outline the initial outcomes of implementing minimally invasive surgery via the right axillary approach to completely repair complex congenital heart diseases. Summary: Minimally invasive surgical techniques have gained widespread adoption in managing simple congenital heart diseases such as atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, partial atrioventricular septal defect, cor triatriatum, and partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. Postoperative results have demonstrated equivalence, if not superiority, to traditional sternotomy procedures while offering enhanced cosmetic benefits. However, for more intricate congenital heart conditions such as tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD), and Ebstein syndrome, this study evaluates the early outcomes of employing minimally invasive surgery via the right axillary approach, a technique that remains relatively uncommon globally. Our study seeks to assess the initial outcomes of this approach in managing complex congenital heart diseases. Subjects and methods: descriptive method based on a series of cases. From April 2023 to December 2023, 45 patients diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease underwent minimally invasive surgery utilizing the axillary approach. This cohort comprised 40 patients with tetralogy of Fallot, 3 patients with complete atrioventricular septal defect, and 2 patients with Ebstein syndrome. Results: All procedures were technically successful, without requiring sternotomy. The cardiopulmonary bypass times for the TOF, complete AVSD, and Ebstein syndrome groups were 81 minutes, 91 minutes, 96 minutes, respectively. Corresponding aortic cross - clamp times were 70 minutes, 72 minutes, and 74 minutes. There were no postoperative fatalities or significant complications. Postoperative echocardiographic evaluations demonstrated favorable outcomes. Conclusion: Minimally invasive surgery via the axillary approach for managing complex congenital heart diseases yields promising early results and offers notable cosmetic advantages.
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