Surgical unroofing of myocardial bridges
Myocardial bridging occurs when an epicardial coronary artery has an intramyocardial segment that is compressed during systole, and may result in decreased perfusion pressure during early diastole (Figure 1) (9). The prevalence has been reported from one to five percent from angiographic series, although the true prevalence is likely much higher due to asymptomatic variants, as evidenced by much higher rates of incidence in autopsy series (10,11). The literature suggests that myocardial bridges may be responsible for serious adverse events such as myocardial ischemia, acute coronary syndromes, left ventricular dysfunction,...
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - August 19, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Perry Choi, Hanjay Wang, Jennifer Tremmel, Ingela Schnittger, Kan Saito, Michael Ma, Teimour Nasirov, Jack Boyd Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

The Ross and Ross-Konno Operation in Neonates and Infants
When replacement of the aortic valve in neonates and infants is required, the Ross-Konno procedure provides a high-quality left ventricular outflow with good mid-term durability. The procedural outcome is highly dependent on the pre-procedural condition of the neonate or infant. Most series contain substantial numbers of post-balloon valvotomy patients as emergent or urgent management of severe, acute regurgitation. In patients with compromised ventricular function, post-operative mechanical support may be required but is generally associated with a good outcome. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - August 8, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: David S Winlaw, Jason W. Greenberg, Alan P O'Donnell Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Trans-right ventricular repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: Extended sandwich patch technique
Postinfarction ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is rare but lethal if untreated. Since the first report of surgical repair in 1957 by Cooley et al [1], various repair techniques have been tried, but the surgical outcomes have generally been poor, particularly for patients with deteriorating condition and requiring surgical repair in the very acute period [2 –4], and for patients with posterior type VSR. Reasons for poor outcomes after surgical repair of VSR include preoperative cardiogenic shock, low output syndrome, bleeding from an LV incision and, frequently, shunt recurrence. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac ...
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - August 3, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tohru Asai, Piers Vigers, Takeshi Kinoshita, Tomoaki Suzuki Tags: Adult Source Type: research

Cardiac Transplantation of the Fontan Patient with a Prior Norwood Procedure
Single-ventricle palliation starting with a Norwood procedure which culminates in a failed Fontan palliation poses certain unique operative challenges for cardiac transplantation. In this manuscript, we describe some of these challenges and our particular approach in management. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - August 1, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Ronald K. Woods, Michael E. Mitchell Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Modified Root Inclusion Technique for the Ross Procedure in Children
Autograft stabilization has proven beneficial in adults but the same technique could not always be adopted in growing children undergoing the Ross procedure. The major concern regarding the longevity of autograft after the Ross operation in a growing child is the lack of means to stabilize the aortic root. Herein we described a modified root inclusion technique that achieves aortic root stabilization using autologous tissue. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 20, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Igor E. Konstantinov, Edward Buratto Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

The Ross Procedure with the Inclusion Technique
In 1967, Donald Nixon Ross, a cardiac surgeon in the National Heart Hospital in London, discontented with the performance of the aortic homografts, pioneered the transplantation of the patient's own pulmonary valve to the aortic position in an operation that now bears his name.1 The operation was in his own experience, either a subcoronary graft implantation or the transfer of the entire pulmonary root with subsequent reimplantation of the coronary arteries, as a so-called “free-standing root replacement”. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 20, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Mahmut Ozturk, Aybala Tongut, Sofia S. Hanabergh, Can Yerebakan, Gebrine El Khoury, Yves d'Udekem Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Modified inclusion technique for the Ross procedure in children
Autograft stabilization has proven beneficial in adults but the same technique could not always be adopted in growing children undergoing the Ross procedure. The major concern of the longevity of autograft after the Ross operation in a growing child is lack of means to stabilize the aortic root. Herein we described a modified root inclusion technique that achieves aortic root stabilization using autologous tissue. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 20, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Igor E. Konstantinov, Edward Buratto Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Lower Partial Mini-Sternotomy for Congenital Cardiac Surgery
With the continuous decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with cardiac surgery, there has been a trend toward the development of operative techniques that are aimed toward improving other measures such as cosmetic outcomes. We have previously reported on such efforts, where a lower partial mini sternotomy is utilized to limit the skin incision and extent of median sternotomy. In this article we detail the operative technique for lower partial mini-sternotomy for the repair of congenital cardiac defects. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 8, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: David Blitzer, Ismail Bouhout, Emile Bacha Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Commentary: Reasons to Bother
The article by Hirji and colleagues is a well-illustrated primer for those wishing to embark on minimally invasive chest wall resection.1 Arguably, the popularity of this approach compared to VATS lobectomy has been tempered by the reasonable question, “Why bother avoiding thoracotomies if cutting through ribs anyway?” (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 7, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Todd L. Demmy, Mark W. Hennon Tags: Thoracic - Commentary Source Type: research

Commentary: approaches for thoracoscopic lateral and posterior basal segmentectomy
We share some techniques and skills for thoracoscopic lateral and posterior basal segmentectomy, and demonstrated figures from two directions. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 7, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Dingpei Han, Hecheng Li Tags: Thoracic - Commentary Source Type: research

Ivor Lewis Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE): The University of Pittsburgh Technique
This article details the approach to the RAMIE Ivor Lewis procedure adopted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, including operative insights and challenges. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 7, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Gino M. Kuiper, James D. Luketich, Inderpal S. Sarkaria Tags: Thoracic Source Type: research

Right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy approach in simple congenital heart diseases
Right thoracotomy approach has been gaining popularity in the repair of simple congenital heart diseases; especially, right vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy (RVIAT) provides a cosmetic benefit that is concealed and less evident but often requires peripheral cannulation. The surgical technique for RVIAT involved a 6-cm vertical incision in the right axillary fold, and cardiopulmonary bypass was established with ascending aorta and bicaval cannulations directly through the same surgical field. Intercostal block was routinely performed intra- and post-operatively to facilitate fast-track postoperative recovery. (Source: Op...
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 6, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Yasuyuki Kobayashi, Shingo Kasahara, Yasuhiro Kotani Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Repair of Kommerell's Diverticulum and Aberrant Subclavian Arteries: Classification of the Five Groups in Declining Frequency and Their Operative Approaches
Aberrant subclavian arteries are a result of unusual involution of the branchial arches resulting in persistent arteries that can cause tracheal or esophageal compression. Many are incidental findings but may be associated with dysphagia (dysphagia lusus naturae, Latin for “jest of nature”), a long history of asthma treatment for wheezing, or more uncommonly, aneurysms or aortic dissection. There are five basic approaches for repair discussed herein, determined by which subclavian artery is involved and where the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta lie, as w ell as the size of the latter, classified as Groups A t...
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 6, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Lars G. Svensson Tags: Adult Source Type: research

Pulmonary artery angioplasty (main pulmonary artery rotation flap technique) in tetralogy of Fallot patients with acute-angle branch pulmonary artery stenosis
Despite excellent outcomes of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair, reinterventions for recurrent or residual stenosis of branch pulmonary arteries are still required in many patients. The development of these lesions may be related to two inherent characteristic morphologies of TOF: Pulmonary ductal coarctation and acute angulation of branch pulmonary artery, especially the left pulmonary artery. I developed a main pulmonary artery (MPA) rotation flap angioplasty technique to deal with acute-angle branch pulmonary artery stenosis without using any patch. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - July 4, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Chang-Ha Lee Tags: Congenital Source Type: research

Extended Replacement of the Aortic Arch and Descending Aorta
Objective: Reporting our experience of total arch replacement through the left thoracotomy. Patients: From October 1999 to April 2021, 69 patients, aging 62.4 ± 13.7 years (26-84), underwent extensive aortic arch replacement from the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and to the descending aorta. The aneurysm consisted with 2 acute type A dissection, 35 chronic type A dissection, 1 acute type B dissection, 11 chronic type B dissection, 12 non-dissection plus chronic type B dissection, 11 nondissection with mega-aorta, and 4 Kommerell diverticulum. (Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery)
Source: Operative Techniques in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery - June 12, 2022 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Yutaka Okita Tags: Adult Source Type: research