Fast-track congenital heart operations: a less invasive technique and early extubation Stefano M Marianeschi, MD, Francesco Seddio, MD, Doff B McElhinney, MD, Luisa Colagrande, MD, Raul F Abella, MD, Teresa de la Torre, MD, Marco Meli, MD, Fiore S Iorio, MD, Carlo F Marcelletti, MD The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Volume 69, Issue 3, Pages 872-876 (March 2000) DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01330-2
Fig 1 The skin incision is made over the lower one-third of the sternum. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 69, 872-876DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01330-2)
Fig 2 A standard retractor is used after sternal division. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 69, 872-876DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01330-2)
Fig 3 Exposure is obtained with two retractors demonstrating the feasibility of standard cannulation. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 69, 872-876DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01330-2)
Fig 4 Postoperative result of the limited skin incision. A single chest tube is inserted. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 69, 872-876DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01330-2)
Fig 5 Second postoperative day. The length and location of the skin incision is shown in an 11-year-old boy. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 2000 69, 872-876DOI: (10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01330-2)