The influence of right anterolateral thoracotomy in prepubescent female patients on late breast development and on the incidence of scoliosis

Abstract

Because our long-term follow-up in prepubescent female patients after right anterolateral thoracotomy revealed significantly impaired unilateral breast development, we propose to abandon right anterolateral thoracotomy in this subgroup of patients, although the subjective satisfaction with the cosmetic result was high. To avoid potential damage of future breast tissue, other surgical approaches, such as right posterior thoracotomy, should be considered. According to the orthopedic investigation, the surgical approach does not cause a higher rate of scoliosis.

Mid-term results of right axillary incision for the repair of a wide range of congenital cardiac defects☆

“…These include a small incision with a full sternotomy [4], partial sternotomy [5,6], antero-lateral thoracotomy [7,8] as well as posterior thoracotomy [9,10]. While a sternal scar, however small, continues to be at a disadvantage because of it attracting a stigma of being a heart patient, the antero-lateral thoracotomy (in spite of being once considered superior to a sternotomy) has eventually fallen out of vogue because of reports of thoracic cage deformity (caused by rib deformation and atrophy of severed pectoral muscles) and asymmetric development of breasts when used prepubescently [11].…”

Right Anterolateral Thoracotomy an Alternative to Median Sternotomy for Closure of Atrial Septal Defect: A Cosmetic Approach in Young Females

“…These deformed breast contours is highly reported in many series as a complication which is lacking in our study may be because of the short follow up time and most ladies they don't complaint of the deformity. 10 There were no complications in intraoperative period. Atrial fibrillation and supra ventricular tachy-arrhythmia are less in RALT group(3.2%) as reported by many series ranging from 2.5 to 13 %.…”

Two Different Minimally Invasive Techniques for Female Patients with Atrial Septal Defects: Totally Thoracoscopic Technique and Right Anterolateral Thoracotomy Technique

“…However, this technique may impaire the breast development in female patients, particularly in the prepubescent patient. 15) We have been used this procedure for several years and only one patients complained mild breast asymmetries. Thus, this technique is still performed in our center.…”