Minimally invasive replacement of ascending aortic aneurysms: intermediate term results.

Background: Minimally invasive techniques have gained recent interest in the realm of cardiac surgery. This report describes our initial experience with graft replacement of ascending aortic aneurysms using a superior mini-sternotomy approach.

Methods: Between March 1997 and October 1997, four patients underwent operation for ascending aortic aneurysm via superior mini-sternotomy approach.