Kartal Koşuyolu Yüksek İhtisas Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, İstanbul

Background: We evaluated the clinical results of different surgical strategies for atrial septal defect closure. Methods: Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 87 patients (23 males, 64 females; mean age 24.3±12.6 years; range 2 to 63 years) underwent conventional sternotomy (n=45) or right anterior thoracotomy (n=42) for all types of atrial septal defects. Results: Compared with the sternotomy group, patients who received thoracotomy were mobilized earlier, required less analgesic therapy, and had a shorter intensive care unit stay and hospitalization. Conclusion: Our results suggest that right anterior thoracotomy may be a highly preferred approach in closure of atrial septal defects due to its favorable cosmetic results and a more rapid patient recovery.