Postoperative recovery in children after minimum versus full-length sternotomy

Background. Minimal access incisions for pediatric cardiac surgery have been reported to hasten postoperative recovery. This prospective study compared recovery after a minimum versus full-length sternotomy for repair of atrial septal defects in children. Methods. We studied 35 children undergoing atrial septal defect repair using a full-length sternotomy (n = 18) or ministernotomy (n = 17) according to the surgeon’s preference. All children were managed according to an established clinical practice guideline. Intraoperative comparisons included patient demographics, bypass and cross-clamp times, and, as a measure of stress response, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and lactate levels at six time intervals throughout the surgical procedure. Postoperative comparisons included pain scores at 6, 12, and 24 hours, frequency of emesis, analgesic requirements, respiratory rate and gas exchange, and length of intensive care unit and total hospital stay. Nurse and parent assessment scores of overall recovery were constructed using visual analog and Likert scales. Results. No significant differences between mini- versus full-length sternotomy were detected for the measured outcome variables. No adverse outcomes were detected. Conclusions. In this prospective study, a ministernotomy did not enhance postoperative recovery, and the primary advantage appears to be an improved cosmetic result.