The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 97, 920-922, Copyright © 1989 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
New approach to defibrillator insertion
RS Hartz, R Kehoe, JW Frederiksen, T Zheutlin and TW Shields
Northwestern University Medical School, Department of Surgery, Chicago, IL 60611.
The automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator has become an integral
part of the management of patients with life-threatening ventricular rhythm
disturbances. The considerable size of the device (250 gm, 10.8 by 7.6 cm)
results in protrusion from the abdominal wall, with an associated
alteration in self-image in all patients. In thin patients, erosion through
the skin can occur. We have devised an operation in which the generator is
implanted in, and becomes part of, the chest wall. The two patients in whom
this approach has been used are virtually unaware of the presence of the
device. We propose this operation as an alternative to abdominal wall
insertion when the latter is unsuitable for technical reasons.