Surgical division of posterior septal accessory pathways in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: a new modified approach.

A new modified surgical approach for the division of posterior septal accessory pathways is described. This method incorporates some of the desirable components of previously reported techniques, while eliminating difficult and unreliable aspects of those same techniques. Interestingly this procedure was initially illustrated by Sealy and Mikat in 1983, although it has not been used clinically until now. The recognized intent of this dissection is to totally separate atrial and ventricular structures within the posterior septal space so that all accessory pathways encountered are permanently interrupted.