Surgical photograph of the heart in the ectopia cordis position undergoing surgery
Ectopia cordis is defined as a complete or partial displacement of the heart outside the thoracic cavity. It could be total or partial depending on the amount of the cardiac volume presenting outside the thoracic cavity. As we have mentioned in our previous case, the heart has been repaired and replaced back into the thoracic cavity. A coronary stabilizer has been installed on the marginal branch of the circumflex artery. There is a graft between the left internal thoracic artery and the anterior interventricular artery. The polyester strip is visible, with traction applied in the direction of the patient's transverse axis. Also visible is the suture thread, with traction applied in the direction of the patient's longitudinal axis. A pericardial replacement membrane of 0.1 mm was used to repair the pericardial defect and was fixed in a way so as to keep the heart in place. The lower three costal cartilages attached to the bifid sternum were dislocated from their costochondral junction and were deviated medially and fixed in place to protect the heart.
