Modified cavoatriotomy for combined PAPVC repair and maze procedure

In patients with partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) to the superior cavoatrial junction, the standard right-sided left atriotomy does not allow sufficient access to the mitral valve and the left atrium. And the injury and traction of the sinus node and sinus node artery should be avoided for prevention of the cardiac rhythm disturbance after operation. We herein report a useful approach to repair the sinus venosus atrial septal defect with PAPVC of the right pulmonary veins to the superior cavoatrial junction in patients also requiring mitral valve replacement and the maze procedure. (C) 2004 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.