Minimally invasive video-assisted approach for left atrial myxoma resection
Nicola Vistarini 1*,
Alessia Alloni 1,
Marco Aiello 1,
Mario Vigano 1
1 Foundation IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: nvistar{at}tin.it.
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Abstract |
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Minimally invasive surgery has become the standard approach for several cardiac diseases. We report in the present study our ten-year experience with endoscopic cardiac surgery for left atrial myxoma resection. Between January 1998 and January 2008, 14 patients (median age: 61 years) underwent surgery for left atrial myxoma resection at our institution. The HeartPort® access system and the video-assistance were systematically employed to provide excellent vision and facilitate surgery. The aortic clamping was obtained with an 'EndoClamp' in 11 cases (using a central or peripheral endoaortic balloon, depending on the site of the arterial cannulation) or transthoracically with the Portaclamp® system in 2 cases and the Chitwood clamp in 1 case. The average time needed for cross-clamping was 49±29 min, with a mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time of 89±57 min. There were no early or late hospital deaths. Mean intensive care unit and hospital stay were 3 and 8 days, respectively. The mean follow-up time was 67 months and there was no evidence of residual or recurrent tumor. There were 2 late deaths due to acute ischemic stroke. Minimally invasive video-assisted surgery for left atrial myxoma resection is a safe, reproducible and cosmetic operation and can be considered an effective oncologic approach as an alternative to standard sternotomy. Keywords: Minimally invasive surgery; Cardiac tumors
