Groin Complications after Femoral Cannulation in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeries

Abstract

inimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) has evolved rapidly over the last decade due to the development of specific strategies involving arterial venous cannulation, cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP), and myocardial preservation that have been tailored to the individual procedures. Different types of cannulation techniques are available for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. In the absence of significant aortoiliac disease, femoral cannulation is the preferred choice of many surgeons for MICS procedures. It offers convenience and improved exposure through a limited chest incision. Exposure of the femoral artery and direct cannulation is probably the most common approach. The cannula is usually placed over a wire that is positioned in the true lumen of the aorta, as confirmed by TEE. Percutaneous femoral cannulation may also be performed. This can be more difficult in obese patients who are most likely to benefit from this procedure. While infection and lymphocele are rare with this technique, hematomas may occur. Groin complications such as infection, hematoma, and lymphocele are observed from time to time after femoral cannulation, and sometimes cost a lot of time and money to fix and may bring great pressure to the surgeons.