Successful Closure of Outlet Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect Through Left Anterior Thoracotomy

Closure of an adult doubly committed juxta-arterial ventricular septal defect (VSD) by left anterior mini-thoracotomy through the second or third intercostal space has been reported occasionally. However, the repair of an outlet muscular VSD, which is remote from the pulmonic valve annulus, by this approach remains controversial because of the limited operative field. Herein, we present the case of a 16-year-old boy weighing 65 kg with an outlet muscular VSD that was successfully repaired by a left anterior mini-thoracotomy approach. Our experience suggests that in select patients, outlet muscular VSD repair is technically feasible by left anterior thoracotomy.