ObjectiveTo Summarize the experience of totally thoracoscopic operation for atrial myxoma.Methods From December 2007 to November 2011,44 patients with atrial myxoma,including 37 cases of Left atrial myxoma,6 cases of Right atrial myxoma,1 case of double atrial myxoma were treated totally under thoracoscope.Surgical procedures were performed through 3 troears inserted at the right chest wall,and catheters were placed in the right femoral artery and vein (or in the right atrium,femoral vein)to set up extracorporeal circulation.The ascending aorta was cross-clamped with long tailor-made forceps and the myocardium was protected by coronary perfusion with cold crystalloid (blood) cardioplegia.ResultsAll the operations were completed successfully.The mean extracorporeal circulation and cross-clamping time were (49 ± 18 )min and (28 ± 10) min respectively.Postoperative ventilation was withdrawn in(3.8 ± 1.4) h,and the patients were discharged from the hospital in (6.8 ± 1.3 ) d.3 of the patients had postoperative complications,including 1 case of fat liquefaction of the incision at the right groin ( delayed healing),2 cases of subcutaneous emphysema ( healed by bandaged chest).No severe complications occurred in this series.UCG performed 3 - 5 days after the operation revealed surgical results were satisfactory.Followup up to 2 months to 4 years were available in all cases.During the period,the heart function was confirmed as level Ⅰ.ConclusionVideo-assisted thoraeoseopie cardiac surgery is feasible,safe,and minimal invasive for patients,resulting in quick recovery and good cosmetic outcomes.

ObjectiveTo summarize the experience of totally thoracoscopic operation for congenital heart diseases.MethodsFrom September 2000 to November 2011,1281 patients with congenital heart disease,including 1016 cases of atrial septal defect,110 cases of ventricular septal defect,61 cases of atrioventricular tube defects,33 cases of tetralogy of Fallot,24 cases of part anomalous pulmonary venous connection,12 cases of pulmonary valve stenosis,9 cases of patent ductus arteriosus,8 case of triatriatum,7 cases of unroofed coronary sinus syndrome,and 1 case of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection were treated totally under thoracoscope.Surgical procedures were performed through 3 troears inserted at the right chest wall,and catheters were placed in the right femoral artery and vein ( or in the right atrium,femoral vein) to set up extracorporeal circulation.The ascending aorta was cross-clamped with long tailor-made forceps and the myocardium was protected by coronary perfusion with cold crystalloid (blood) cardioplegia.ResultsAll the operations were completed successfully.The mean extracorporeal circulation and cross-clamping time were ( 42 ± 16 ) min and ( 21 ± 9 ) min respectively.Postoperative ventilation was withdrawn in(4.1 ± 1.5 ) h,and the patients were discharged from the hospital in(7.1 ± 1.4) d.35 of the patients had postoperative complications,including 16 cases of right pneumothorax (healed by thoracentesis),12 cases of subcutaneous emphysema ( healed by bandaged chest) and 7 cases of fat liquefaction of the incision at the right axillary( 3 cases) and groin(4 cases) ( delayed healing).No severe complications occurred in this series.UCG performed 4 - 8 days after the operation revealed no residual shunt.Follow-up up to 3 months to 9 years were available in 914 cases.During the period,the heart function was confirmed as level Ⅰ - Ⅱ.ConclusionTotally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery is feasible,safe,and minimal invasive for patients,resulting in quick recovery and good cosmetic outcomes.