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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1998;14:347-352
© 1998 Elsevier Science NL

Experiences with a minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of coronary artery multivessel disease in 100 patients¹

Cardiovascular Institute, University Hospital Dresden, Fetscherstr. 76, D-01307 Dresden, Germany

Received 30 March 1998; received in revised form 15 July 1998; accepted 28 July 1998.

Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 351 4501801; fax: +49 351 4501802.

Objective: The treatment of coronary single vessel disease under minimally invasive surgical conditions was followed by the treatment of coronary multivessel disease using a new technique. Methods: Using this technique 100 patients (80 male, 20 female, median age 61.0±8.9 years, ranged from 39 to 82 years) with coronary single vessel disease, double vessel disease or multivessel disease were treated between November 1996 and December 1997. Via a small (6–9 cm) left lateral chest incision in the second or third intercostal space, the left internal thoracic mammary artery (LIMA) was harvested and access to the central portion of the heart including the ascending aorta was obtained. In parallel, saphenous vein segments were harvested. Arterial cannulation was instituted via the ascending aorta, thus avoiding retrograde flow. In all patients except three the LIMA was used for the left anterior descending artery (LAD). In addition vein grafts were used for revascularization of the other coronary arteries. All cardiac anastomoses were performed during cardioplegic arrest after external aortic cross clamping and antegrade application of cardioplegia. Results: No death or intraoperative complications were observed in this series. The median hospital stay was 6.0±1.4 days (median±SEM). Postoperative complications were reexplored for bleeding (n=1), delayed wound healing (n=2), wound infections (n=4), lymphatic fistulas (n=4), and a chest wall hernia (n=1). Conclusions: This minimally invasive surgical technique presents a safe alternative to conventional coronary artery surgery avoiding sternotomy related complications and decreasing hospital stay and morbidity.

Key Words: Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery • Multivessel coronary artery disease • Cardiopulmonary bypass • Conventional aortic cross clamping

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