Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of small incision with traditional thoractomy for aortic valve replacement.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 78 patients with heart valve replacement in our hospital between May 2014 and June 2016. The patients were divided into a small incision group and an open chest group with 39 patients in each group. In the small incision group, 18 males and 21 females, aged 56.4±10.8 years, underwent cardiac surgery with a small incision. And in the open chest group, 17 males and 22 females, aged 57.1±9.7 years, underwent cardiac surgery by thoracotomy.Results The extracorporeal circulation time, aortic cross clamping time of the small incision group were longer than those of the open chest group (P<0.05). But the amount of intraoperative blood transfusion and postoperative 24 h drainage volume of the small incision group were significantly less than those of the open chest group (P<0.05). Postoperative mechanical ventilation time, and postoperative hospitalization time of the small incision group were significantly shorter than those of the open chest group (P<0.05). Pain score of the small incision group was significantly lower than that of the open chest group significantly (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in complications rate between the two groups after 6 months (P>0.05).Conclusion Compared with traditional open chest cardiac surgery, small incision cardiac surgery is effective and safe, and is worth popularizing in clinic.

Citation： CHEN Chong, HE Yong. Effect of small incision versus traditional incision thoracotomy for aortic valve replacement: A case control study. Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 2018, 25(4): 317-320. doi: 10.7507/1007-4848.201709013 Copy