REPAIR OF SECUNDUM ATRIAL SEPTAL-DEFECT - LIMITING THE INCISION WITHOUT SACRIFICING EXPOSURE

A simple and effective technique for repair of secundum atrial septal defect is described. The heart is exposed through a limited midline sk in incision and partial sternotomy, and the atrial septal defect is cl osed through a right atriotomy with ascending aortic and dual venous c annulation. This approach achieves a cosmetically superior result with standard instrumentation and cardiopulmonary bypass techniques, witho ut compromising exposure or using peripheral incisions. (Ann Thorac Su rg 1998;66:1433-5) (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.