Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery
Overview
Mitral valve surgery generally may be performed with open-heart surgery, which involves a cut (incision) in the chest.
In some cases, mitral valve repair surgery may be performed with minimally invasive heart surgery, in which surgeons perform the procedure through small incisions in the chest.
Minimally invasive heart surgery includes surgery performed using long instruments inserted through one or more small incisions in the chest (thoracoscopic surgery), surgery performed through a small incision in the chest, or surgery performed by a surgeon using robotic arms (robot-assisted heart surgery).
In robot-assisted heart surgery, a surgeon sits at a remote console, viewing the heart in a magnified high-definition 3-D view on a video monitor. The surgeon uses robotic arms to duplicate specific maneuvers used in open-heart surgeries. These procedures may be available at certain medical centers.
Minimally invasive heart surgery may involve a shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and less pain than open-heart surgery. Minimally invasive heart surgery generally should be performed at medical centers with a medical team experienced in performing these types of procedures.
In minimally invasive heart surgery, surgeons access the heart through small cuts (incisions) in the chest, as shown in the top two images. In open-heart surgery, surgeons make a larger incision in the chest, as shown in the bottom image.
In one type of minimally invasive heart surgery, surgeons make small incisions in the side of your chest, between your ribs, to reach your heart. Surgeons conduct the procedure using long instruments.
In robot-assisted heart surgery, a surgeon sits at a remote console and views the heart on a video monitor. The surgeon uses robotic arms to conduct the procedure. A surgical team assists at the operating table.
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