Comparison of postoperative outcome between vertical right axillary thoracotomy and conventional median sternotomy for atrial septal defect closure in pediatric patients

Surgical management of atrial septal defect has evolved from conventional sternotomy to less invasive approaches, with vertical right axillary thoracotomy emerging as a promising alternative offering superior cosmetic and recovery outcomes. This study was therefore designed to compare postoperative results, safety, and parental satisfaction between VRAT and conventional median sternotomy to address the existing gap in pediatric data.