Traditional heart surgery incision is larger (about 6 – 8 inches), made down the sternum, through bone and muscle. The right mini-thoracotomy is performed with a 2- to 3-inch skin incision created in a skin fold on the right chest, providing an excellent cosmetic result.
The heart is approached between the ribs, providing the surgeon access to the mitral valve. There is no sternal incision or spreading of the ribs required for this surgical technique. The surgeon inserts special surgical instruments through the incision to perform the valve repair. Results with this approach are excellent.
Patients with isolated mitral valve disease may be candidates for minimally invasive surgery, so long as they do not have clinically relevant aortic valve disease or coronary artery disease.
The procedure can be explained better by viewing the video below
The advantages of minimally invasive heart valve surgery repair are:
- Reduced postoperative pain and early mobility
- Reduced blood loss and shorter ventilation time leading to shorter ITU and hospital stay.
- Less risk of wound infection
- Earlier recovery and return to normal activity
- Cosmetically acceptable and patient attractive
Do let us know if you have any questions or comments on the same.
By
Dr Pramod Reddy ,Chief Minimally invasive ,Aortic and Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Medicover Hospital