A New Surgical Technique for Creation of an Atrial Septal Defect with Surgical Steel Wire : An Experimental Study

Abstract

A safe and simple surgical technique for creation of an atrial septal defect is reported. The atrial septum was incised with two surgical steel wires which had penetrated through the atrial septum from outside the right and left atria. Fourteen dogs were operated upon by this technique with satisfactory results. The advantages of this new technique include 1) obviation of even temporary circulatory occlusion, 2) avoidance of air embolism, 3) no need for special instruments, and 4) technical easiness.