Get started
Work

Feasibility and Early Outcomes of Intraoperative Extubation in Pediatric Atrial and Ventricular Septal Defect Repair via Axillary Thoracotomy.

Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and early recovery outcomes of intraoperative extubation combined with minimally invasive axillary thoracotomy for atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair in pediatric patients. METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive pediatric patients who underwent ASD (n = 43) or VSD (n = 18) repair via axillary thoracotomy between March 2017 and December 2023 were included. Patients were categorized by extubation timing into intraoperative (operating room [OR] group) and postoperative (intensive care unit [ICU] group). Baseline characteristics, operative variables, and postoperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: In the ASD cohort, patients extubated intraoperatively had a shorter hospital stay compared with those extubated in the ICU (2.78 ± 1.24 vs. 3.60 ± 0.99 days, P < 0.001). In the VSD cohort, the OR group included younger and lower-weight patients yet demonstrated a significantly shorter hospital stay (3.56 ± 0.73 vs. 5.78 ± 3.35 days, P = 0.013). Across the entire cohort, on-table extubation was associated with reduced hospital stay (P < 0.001), with no increase in reintubation or major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative extubation following axillary thoracotomy for ASD and VSD repair in pediatric patients appears safe and feasible and was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay, even in lower-weight patients. These findings suggest that intraoperative extubation may be considered as part of enhanced recovery strategies in pediatric congenital heart surgery.
Source: PubMed
DOI: 10.21470/1678-9741-2025-0392
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225331750
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: 10