Impact of right anterolateral thoracotomy with a new approach on breast development: survey analysis of female cardiac surgery patients.

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to present the effects of submammarian thoracotomy by our new approach to breast development in young female patients between 8 and 14 years old.

METHODS

Atrial septal defect closure was performed in 55 female patients between 8 and 14 years old at the time of operation between January 2010 and January 2018 by median sternotomy or right anterolateral thoracotomy. These patients were called for a follow-up visits, breast examination were performed, and a questionnaire of 10 questions was applied.

RESULTS

According to the answer given by the patients to the question of "how would you describe your scar" showed that the surgical method satisfies all patients cosmetically in study group. The overall satisfaction rate for the cosmetic results of operation was 100% versus 41.1%, respectively. The percentage of patients said no to the question "Do you experience lack of self-confidence related your scar" was significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). The percentage of those who said yes to the question "Would you like to be operated with the same approach if you will have surgery again?" in the study group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

We consider that our procedure is safe and effective with improved cosmetic results compared to median sternotomy which also confers many advantages such as less trauma, less pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay. This study presents one of the largest series of paediatric patients operated by submammarian thoracotomy.