Use of thoracoscopy and a minimal thoracotomy, in mammary-coronary bypass to left anterior descending artery, without extracorporeal circulation. Experience in 2 cases.

A new surgical approach to mammary-coronary bypasses, to the left anterior descending artery, without the use of extracorporeal circulation, is described here. A minimal left anterior thoracotomy and the use of thoracoscopy are combined in this procedure performed in two patients (54-year-old male and 56-year-old male). Results were excellent: both patients were soon discharged from hospital (3 days patient 1 and 36 hours patient 2). Neither blood nor inotropic drugs were required. New angiographies previous to discharge were done, showing 100% patency of the mammary grafts. Both patients are angina-free. Due to its simplicity, and with more experience, this technique could be a good alternative for patients with severe lesions of the left anterior descending artery.