Minimally invasive heart surgery

Today, the most widely used approach in open-heart surgery is sternotomy. Sternotomy requires a 16–18 cm incision in the chest, during which the breastbone is divided down the middle and cardiopulmonary bypass is established.

With minimally invasive surgery, however, most heart operations are now successfully performed through a much smaller 3–5 cm incision between the ribs, without the need to open the chest.

Because minimally invasive heart surgery causes less tissue damage, there is also less pain. As a result, patients become mobile sooner, breathe more comfortably and, most importantly, can turn onto either side in bed from the very first day. A smaller incision also means less blood loss, reducing the likelihood of blood transfusion and the need for antibiotics. Minimally invasive heart surgery also offers a superior cosmetic result.

Minimally invasive (small-incision) heart surgery, which is now also widely practiced in our country, offers many advantages.

Advantages of Small-Incision (Minimally Invasive/Endoscopic) Heart Surgery

Patients stay on average 1 day in intensive care and 2–3 days on the ward.

The risk of infection is minimal (because no pump is used).

Depending on the type of operation, it is performed through a 4–5 cm incision under the right or left breast, or sometimes below the collarbone.

Because bleeding during and after surgery is very low, most operations do not require a blood transfusion.

Unlike standard surgery, the breastbone is not cut, so the integrity of the chest wall is preserved. There is less pain and fewer breathing problems, and recovery is faster.

These operations use special instruments and a 3D camera system. The three-dimensional image allows the surgeon to work more easily with a realistic view.

Cutting the breastbone can have a negative psychological effect, especially on young patients, whereas after small-incision surgery the scar is barely visible.

In standard operations where the breastbone is cut, the bone takes about 2 months to heal, during which the patient must not turn onto either side in bed, raise their arms or lift heavy objects. Small-incision surgery has none of these problems.