Minimally invasive approach for congenital cardiac defects: reply

Abstract

In reply to the letter of Dr Nagarajan Muthialu¹ regarding our recent paper:² we profusely appreciate Dr Muthialu’s opinion and valued comments. We wish to state that we do not use intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for atrial septal defect closure on a regular basis. We do agree that TOE might help in ensuring complete de-airing or in a diagnostic dilemma intraoperatively. With regard to the lateral thoracotomy, we reserve it for young female patients coming for mitral valve surgery and ASD closure.³ Since our article was on the lower ministernotomy, we did not discuss experience with the lateral thoracotomy. We have minimized the incision to as little as 2 cm.² Most of our patients were absolutely satisfied with the small scar, and we are convinced that it does not have an impact on the morale of the patients.

References

Muthialu

(2010) Minimally invasive approach for congenital cardiac defects. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 18(4): 404–404.

Karthekeyan

Vakamudi

Thangavelu

Sulaiman

Sundar

Kumar

(2010) Lower ministernotomy and fast tracking for atrial septal defect. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 18(2): 166–169.

Yoshimura

Yamaguchi

Oshima

Oka

Ootaki

Yoshida

(2001) Repair of atrial septal defect through a right posterolateral thoracotomy: a cosmetic approach for female patients. Ann Thorac Surg 72: 2103–2105.