Abstract
Background: Median sternotomy remains the standard approach used by surgeons for most intracardiac operations but the residual scar is cosmetically unsatisfactory. To avoid an unsightly midline scar we have tried to use alternative skin incision (bilateral subm-ammary skin incision) to median sternal skin incision, In this study we have tried to compare different postoperative results of wound between two different skin incisional methods. Material and Method: Between June 1997 and June 1998, a bilateral subma-mmary skin incision combined with vertical sternotomy was performed in 21 pediatric female patients (submammary group)to repair acyanotic congenital heart disease. after the period we carried out a retrograde study about postoperative wound states comparing this incision with median sternal skin incision controls in whom there were 23 pediatric pat-ients (control group). Result: Patients' age ranged from 14 to 96 months(mean 38.2 months) Mean duration of subcutaneous drains using Hemovac which was used only in the patients of submammary group was 4.2 days and total amount of the drained effusion was 51.1 ml. Postoperative wound complications included wound eruption in one patient wound disruption in one patient and skin necrosis in 3 patients in submammary group and included wound disruption in 4 patients in controls. mean duration required for wound healing was 15,5 days in submammary group versus 10.4 days in controls. The mean scar length was 12.5 cm in submammary group versus 11.3 cm in controls. The average follow-up was 8.2 months in submammary group versus 9.0 months in controls. In submammary group 3 patients parents(14.3%) were pleased with their cosmetic results of wound scar but 8(38.1%) were dissatisfied. Among the 23 patients in control group 8(34.8%) were pleased but 8(34.8%) complained ofunhappiness with the scar.
