ObjectiveTo evaluate the continuous half-thickness suture outside of the pectinate muscles in the right atrium incision in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery. MethodsA total of 1 040 consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery by the right atrium incision with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly divided into a control group (n=518 with 236 males and 282 females at mean age of 44.55 years) and a trial group (n=522 with 242 males and 280 females at mean age 45.75 years) between January 2010 and June 2014. The right atrium incision was sutured by continuous full-thickness suture in the control group and sutured by continuous half-thickness suture in the trial group. After the suture, the bleeding in the right atrium incision was recorded. ResultsAll patients underwent the open-heart operation. Seven patients died of postoperative low cardiac syndrome including four patients in the control group and 3 patients in the trial group. The heart incision was inspected before suturing the pericardium. A total of 203 patients of local active bleeding were stitched again in the right atrium incision in the control group. Only 26 patients were stitched again in the trial group (P<0.001). In the cases of re-exploration for bleeding or tamponade after cardiac operation, 3 patients of bleeding due to the right atrium incision were confirmed in the control group, and no one was confirmed in the trial group. ConclusionThe continuous half-thickness suture in the right atrium incision can prevent the incision bleeding, and avoid locally stitching again in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery.