THORACOSCOPY VERSUS STERNOTOMY IN THE CORRECTION OF A VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT: A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

Objective: To compare the immediate outcomes of thoracoscopy and median sternotomy in patients undergoing ventricular septal defect repair. Materials and мethods. We analyzed 59 patients diagnosed with VSD who were operated on at the SCCCST from 2012 to 2021. All patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included patients in whom thoracoscopic access was used (n=27), group 2 included the method of complete median sternotomy (n=32). Results. There were no statistically significant differences in complications in the postoperative period and no in-hospital mortality. The duration of the procedure and the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass in the thoracoscopy group were longer than in the sternotomy group. Blood loss during and after surgery was lower in the thoracoscopy group than in the sternotomy group. Hence, less blood and plasma transfusion was required in the thoracoscopy group than in the sternotomy group. The length of stay in the intensive care unit, the time spent on mechanical ventilation, bed days after surgery, the use of analgesics were statistically lower in the thoracoscopy group than in the sternotomy group. It should be noted that the length of the skin incision in patients in the thoracoscopy group was significantly less than in the second group. Conclusion. Thoracoscopic approach for VSD correction is an effective and low-traumatic method that does not increase the risk of surgical complications. Routine use of this technique requires a study on a larger sample of patients.