IS THERE STILL A ROLE FOR THE CLASSICAL COX-MAZE III?

• Published in: ANZ journal of surgery 2006-05, Vol.76 (5), p.351-355
• Main Authors: Yap, Cheng-Hon, Prior, David, Kenny, James, Zimmet, Adam, Chao, Victor, Mooney, Donald, Yii, Michael
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; arrhythmia; atrial fibrillation; Atrial Fibrillation - surgery; cardiac surgical procedure; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Catheter Ablation; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; thromboembolism; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1445-1433; 1445-2197
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2006.03724.x

Background:  The incidence of surgery for atrial fibrillation (AF) is rising, paralleled by an increase in the types of lesion sets and energy sources used. These alternate energy sources have simplified the surgery at the expense of increased cost of consumables. The classical Cox‐Maze III is the gold standard therapy with a proven efficacy in curing AF. Our complete experience with this procedure is presented. Methods:  All 28 patients undergoing the classical Cox‐Maze III procedure at our institution underwent preoperative assessment and were followed prospectively. Results:  Twenty‐eight patients underwent the Cox‐Maze III procedure between January 2001 and May 2003. Their mean age was 65 years (range, 44–80 years). Twenty‐five patients had concomitant cardiac procedures. Mean duration of AF was 8.3 years. Permanent AF was present in 82%. Mean follow‐up time was 15 ± 8 months (range, 4–30 months). There were no perioperative or late deaths, or thromboembolic events. Sixty‐one per cent had early (