Initial experiences with a centrifugal-pump based minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation system in pediatric congenital cardiac surgery.

Background: Minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) circuits are an established alternative to conventional extracorporeal circulation (CECC). Based on the positive effects and improved perioperative outcomes of MiECC in adult cardiac surgery, this perfusion concept appears particularly attractive to pediatric cardiac surgery. So far, there are no reports on the clinical application of a MiECC system for corrective surgery in neonates and children.

Vertical Right Axillary Mini-Thoracotomy for Correction of Ventricular Septal Defects and Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defects.

Background: Vertical right axillary mini-thoracotomy (VRAMT) is the standard approach for correction of atrial septal defect and partial atrioventricular septal defect at our institution. This observational single-center study compares our initial results with the VRAMT approach for the repair of ventricular septal defect (VSD) and complete atrioventricular septal defect (CAVSD) in infants and children to an approach using standard median sternotomy (MS).

Methods: The perioperative courses of patients undergoing VSD and CAVSD correction through either a VRAMT or an MS were analyzed retrospectively.