Minimally invasive paediatric cardiac surgery
At the Paediatric Heart Centre Vienna, new innovative surgical techniques can be used to treat atrial septal defects (ASD II), sinus venosus defects, septal primum defects (ASD I) and, in some cases, ventricular septal defects (VSD) without a sternotomy (splitting of the sternum). This reduces surgical trauma, intraoperative blood loss and the length of hospitalisation. As no sternotomy is performed, there is also no scar over the sternum, which is typical of heart surgery and is perceived as a stigma by many patients.
In principle, we offer minimally invasive surgical techniques from a body weight of 5-7 kg. Surgical access is via a skin incision in the axilla (armpit). The heart is then reached through the 3rd or 4th intercostal space while protecting the muscles. For older children weighing 20 kg or more, we also use video-assisted surgical techniques. This allows surgery to be performed through very small incisions, the incision is made in the breast fold and very attractive cosmetic results are achieved. Figures 1 and 2 (click to enlarge) show the surgical techniques schematically. Both surgical techniques are highly standardised and allow excellent results to be achieved with the highest priority for patient safety.
For further information, consultations and surgical planning, please contact our cardiac surgery team.