ObjectiveTo analyze the clinical efficacy of right midaxillary straight incision surgery in the treatment of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect. MethodsThe clinical data of children with doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect who received surgeries in our hospital from August 2020 to July 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. All the children underwent surgical repair and were divided into two groups according to the incision position, including a right midaxillary straight incision group and a median incision group. The outcomes were compared between the two groups. ResultsA total of 187 patients were enrolled. There were 102 patients in the right midaxillary straight incision group, including 55 males and 47 females with a median age of 26.0 (5.0, 127.0) months and a median weight of 12.5 (5.1, 32.8) kg at surgery. There were 85 patients in the median incision group, including 37 males and 48 females with a median age of 4.0 (2.0, 168.0) months and a median weight of 6.7 (4.8, 53.9) kg at surgery. No mortality occurred in the study. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the cardiopulmonary bypass time (50.0±18.4 min vs. 46.1±15.7 min) or aortic cross-clamping time (31.3±18.6 min vs. 26.3±17.5 min) (P>0.05). Compared to the median incision group, the time from the end of cardiopulmonary bypass to the closure of chest (22.3±15.6 min vs. 37.1±13.4 min, P=0.001), postoperative hospital stay (6.9±3.9 d vs. 8.6±3.6 d, P=0.002), the length of incision (4.3±2.7 cm vs. 8.5±3.2 cm, P=0.001), drainage volume (79.0±32.2 mL vs. 100.2±43.1 mL, P=0.001), and the pain score on the 2nd and the 3rd day after the operation were statistically better in the right midaxillary straight incision group (P<0.05). The medical experience and incision satisfaction scores at discharge were higher than those in the median incision group (P<0.05). During the follow-up of 21.0 (1.0, 35.0) months, no residual shunt was detected and all patients in both groups had a normal cardiac function and mild or less valve regurgitation. ConclusionCompared to the median incision, minimally invasive right midaxillary straight incision is equally safe and reliable in the treatment of doubly committed subarterial ventricular septal defect with the advantages of cosmetic and fast recovery.