Surgical Approaches in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Patient preparation varies according to the type of minimally invasive surgery. As of the current practice there are only a few limitations for overall MICS surgery. An alternative to all MICS surgical access is the conventional median sternotomy approach. Multiple co-morbidity and very high-risk patients, who are fit for MICS surgery, are the potential candidates for the conventional approach. To overcome the challenges of right heart surgery, particularly in terms of caval isolation procedures in patients with enlarged and pressurized atria, alternative techniques can be used. When given a choice, most patients are likely to choose minimally invasive heart surgery because of a number of benefits such as faster recovery, improved cosmesis, less blood loss and less arrhythmia. It is also a safe surgical option for patients with previous sternotomy. However, there are some alternatives and modifications of the current MICS practice. It varies from surgeon to surgeon and depends on institutional practice.