Objective To summarize the clinical experience of 38 cases of cardiac surgery with full sternotomy through minimal skin incision.Methods A total of 38 cases of selective cardiac surgery were performed from June 2004 to December 2005.The operation was conducted under full sternotomy through a skin mini-incision.Results The operation was successfully completed in all the 38 cases.The total operation time was 175~359 min(mean,84 min),the drainage volume was 110~760 ml(median,380 ml),and the postoperatine hospital stay,7~32 d(mean,10 d).Postoperative short-term complications included 1 case of arrhythmia and 2 cases of pyrexia,all of which were cured.No thoracotomy for hemostasis was required.The incision healed by first intention without infection or separation.Follow-up examinations for 3~18 months(mean,9 months) in 38 cases showed significat improrement of symptoms.The left ventricular ejection fraction after operation was 0.45~0.73(mean,0.62).Conclusions Full sternotomy through minimal skin incision for cardiac surgery is safe and micro-traumatic.This procedure provides advantages of simplicity of performance,no need of special surgical instruments,and good cosmetic outcomes.

Objective To summarize the ruptured types and surgical treatment experience for rupture of aortic sinus aneurysm. Methods Nineteen cases with aneurysm of aortic sinus were retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 cases with ventricular septal defect,6 cases with aortic valvular incompetence,6cases with other diseases,2 cases complicated by infective endocarditis. All cases underwent operational treatment. Results There were 15 cases of right aneurysm of aortic sinus,including 12 cases among them ruptured into right ventricle,3 cases rupture was penetrated into right atrium.There were 3 cases of null aneurysm of aortic sinus,including 1 case among them ruptured into right ventricle,2 cases ruptured into right atrium. There was 1 case of left aneurysm of aortic sinus, which ruptured into left ventricle. No operative death occurred in all, 1 case with aortic regurgitation light to moderate,and all cases were recovered.Conclusions The right aneurysm of aortic sinus is the most common types,and always rupture into right ventricle. It is important that aneurysm of aortic sinus should be operated as early as possible in order to avoid losing the chance of operation, particular in the patients complicated by infective endocarditis.