Mini-sternotomy for aortic valve surgery

Abstract

In the recent years more and more efforts have been made widely to introduce new techniques in the minimally invasive cardiac surgery. At our Department and the Linköping University Hospital, Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, from August 1996 to January 1997, aortic valve surgery was performed in 23 adult patients (9 female, 14 male), age 28-86 years (mean age 62.5 years). Twenty-two patients had aortic valve replacement, among these, in 3 cases concomitant aortic annulus dilatation was made and in one case reduction-plasty of the dilated ascending aorta. In another one case resection of a sub-aortic membrane was performed. The operations and postoperative period were free of complications in all patients. Following an average 36 hours intensive care all patients were discharged after an average of 11.2 day hospital stay. The authors introduce the new surgical technique and present its advantages and disadvantages. Mini-sternotomy has less detrimental structural and functional effects on the thorax. Moreover, due to its minimal surgical trauma, this less invasive technique reduces patient morbidity, hospital stay and cost of care. Since mini-sternotomy is a safe and advantageous technique, the authors recommend applying this new technique in most of aortic valve operations.