A better cosmetic effect may result from minimally invasive techniques available for the surgical correction of congenital cardiopathies. Amongst the possible accesses for the correction of an interatrial communication, we selected a partial sternotomy which we performed in 20 pediatric patients. When analyzed, this group of patients demonstrated that this approach is a safe and easy one, and that the cosmetic result is very satisfactory. No complications specifically related to the surgical access were observed.
Heart septal defects; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive
