Abstract

Objective:

Thoracic surgical approach has taken a decisive turn since videoscopy utilization for cardiac and non-cardiac thoracic surgery. This study aims to present indications and results of chest surgical approaches performed in Cote d’Ivoire. Methods: Using the 1998 and 2014 nationwide inpatient database, we identified retrospectivly 814 patients including 475 men and 339 women who underwent a cardiothoracic surgery. Mean age was 32.73 years; range was: 2 months - 88 years.

Results: Cardiac Surgery was performed on 473 patients (58.10%) and Gene- ral Thoracic Surgery on 341 patients (41.89%). For Cardiac Surgery, median vertical sternotomy was the most surgical approach performed (n=250; 52.85%), while classic postero-lateral tho- racotomy was the most surgical approach performed in General Thoracic Surgery (n=321; 94.13%). Immediate postoperative pain required opioids administration in 84.39% of cases. Ave- rage length of hospitalization and healing were respectively 9.43 days (range: 2-50 days) and 18.30 days (range: 1-56 days).

Conclusion: Development of minimally invasive chest approaches remains one of our challenges because those currently practiced are uncomfortable for patients and make longer hospital stay and wound healing.

Keywords: Surgical Approach, Thorax, Minimally Invasive Procedures.