In minimally invasive mitral valve replacement, surgeons operate through a small incision instead of the long incision down the center of your chest that is used for traditional open surgery. This approach often leads to faster recovery and less pain.
Minimally invasive mitral valve repair is a safe and effective technique. It is associated with low 30-day mortality and stroke rate, and excellent long-term results.
What is minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive mitral valve replacement (MIS) is a type of repair surgery for patients with poorly working mitral valves. It uses a single small cut and special tools rather than a larger incision used for traditional open repairs, which may lead to less pain and faster recovery from the procedure.
The goal of minimally invasive repair is to reconstruct the leaflets so that they meet and properly seal again. It involves either removing the flail portion of the leaflet or placing new chords–or both in some cases.
Incisions in MIS are smaller than those made during conventional surgery, so scars are usually much smaller. Many patients feel more comfortable and have fewer complications after MIS surgery.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive surgery?
Surgical procedures done with minimally invasive techniques are known to be safer and produce better results. These procedures often use specialized tools, such as cameras, computers and instruments capable of a very precise motion, to allow surgeons to operate without having to open up the entire area they are working on.
Minimally invasive surgery also allows patients to recover more quickly and feel less pain while they heal. Because the incisions left by minimally invasive surgery are small and do not penetrate the muscles, they tend to heal faster.
In addition, minimally invasive surgery can minimize trauma to the body and reduce blood loss and need for transfusions during surgery. These benefits are why many surgeons now prefer these methods over more invasive procedures.
At Emanuel, we utilize the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, an advanced technology used to limit the size of incisions needed during surgery. This makes it possible for us to perform more minimally invasive surgeries, making them an option for more people.
What are the risks of minimally invasive surgery?
Minimally invasive mitral valve replacement is a new surgical technique for replacing damaged mitral valves that tends to have a shorter recovery time, fewer complications and leaves fewer visible scars than traditional methods. These procedures are becoming increasingly popular as they offer a safer and more comfortable alternative to open-heart surgery, which requires a large incision in the chest.
The mitral valve is a heart valve that controls blood flow between the left side of the heart. Problems with this valve can lead to abnormal blood flow and heart failure, causing shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fatigue or chest pain.
Traditionally, mitral valve repair has been done through a median sternotomy (an incision down the length of the sternum), which causes trauma to the breastbone. For this reason, a new minimally invasive approach to mitral valve repair and replacement has become more popular, which involves smaller incisions that leave the breastbone intact.
What are the alternatives to minimally invasive surgery?
Traditionally, surgery has been the main treatment for mitral valve disease. It includes repair of the valve and, when necessary, mitral valve replacement with a biological (animal-derived) or mechanical valve.
But with advances in medical technology, a variety of other alternatives are now available for people who need surgery. These alternatives can help reduce the need for surgery and lead to shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.
Minimally invasive spine surgery is one such alternative. This procedure uses small incisions to treat conditions like spinal stenosis, herniated discs and scoliosis.
Because minimally invasive surgery doesn’t require large incisions, it can reduce the risk of infection and speed up your recovery time. Plus, you can return home a day or two after the procedure.
Minimally invasive surgery also causes less trauma to muscles and soft tissues. This can decrease pain and help your doctor control it better. It can also lead to less blood loss and faster recovery times than open surgery.
