Minimally Invasive Right Thoracotomy Approach for Atrial Septal Defect Closure: Report of the First Case Performed in Burkina Faso

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall that divides the upper chambers of the heart. It may close spontaneously or require closure. Historical approach was operative closure by a full sternotomy. Currently, the gold standard approach is the device closure. When this approach is not available or is not indicated, the alternative is the minimally invasive approaches. In Burkina Faso, West Africa, ASD closure has been performed since 2021 by sternotomy. The authors report the first experience ever of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. A right mini thoracotomy was successfully used as an approach to close secundum atrial septal defect in a four-year old boy. Thoracic wall muscles were spared. The team did not face any technical issue during the procedure and so did not convert to a full sternotomy. Cross clamping time was 23 minutes and CPB lasted 40 minutes. Postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient discharged on day five.