BACKGROUND: To avoid sternotomy-related complications after cardiac operations, we developed a minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of multivessel @entity453 . METHODS: From November 1996 to May 1997, 39 @entity1 (age range, 50 to 78 years) with @entity453 were treated with the use of this technique. Through a small (6- to 9-cm) left lateral chest incision in the third intercostal space, the left internal mammary artery was harvested directly. With the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and @entity1167 in all @entity1 except 1, the left internal mammary artery was anastomosed to the left anterior descending artery. In addition, vein grafts and other arterial conduits were used for revascularization of the other coronary arteries. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications. All the @entity1 survived the procedure and had an uneventful postoperative course. Wound complications occurred in 2 @entity1 . The median (+/- standard error of the mean) hospital stay was 6 +/- 1 days. CONCLUSIONS: This technique combines minimally invasive surgical conditions with the safety standards of routine cardiac operations. With the use of this approach, even extensive @entity453 can be treated.

Minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of multivessel XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity453 :: ('MESH:D003324', 'Disease') :: ['coronary artery disease'] @entity1167 :: ('MESH:D006323', 'Disease') :: ['cardioplegic arrest']
@entity453 :: (MESH:D003324,Disease) :: ['coronary artery disease']
