Video: Mini-Thoracotomy For Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair?

By Adam Pick on September 13, 2010

As I remember… Once diagnosed with severe heart valve disease, many patients begin researching surgical options immediately.

During that process, we quickly realize that different approaches for open heart surgery exist. One approach, the mini-thoracotomy, deploys a surgical technique unlike a median sternotomy, robotic surgery or transcatheter procedure.

In the past, we have discussed mini-thoracotomy for aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair. That said, I thought you might like to see a video which shows a mini-thoracotomy being performed. While this video is a bit graphic, I found it very educational.

 

 

To learn more about mini-thoracotomy (also referred to as port access), you might want to consider the following:

I hope the video and information provided above helps us all learn more about mini-thoracotomy for heart valve surgery.

Keep on tickin!
Adam


Written by Adam Pick
- Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick, Heart Valve Patient Advocate

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.


Spike Spriesterbach says on September 13th, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Adam,
I can’t thank you enough for your site and book. That being said, I would like to ask some questions.

I went through Mitral valve replacement and a Maze procedure about 2 years ago and I already have a small murmur. I was told at the time of the surgery that, because I had thoracic surgery in 2000 when doctors thought I had lung cancer, I wasn’t a candidate for any minimally invasive procedure. I didn’t have the cancer, just Valley fever, but I still suffer nerve damage from that surgery, way beyond my “chest cracking” aftereffects.

What I want to know is whether the amazing advancements that have been made, is there any new procedures that I can “look forward to” when it is time for me to undergo more procedures. Please don’t misunderstand, I have enjoyed the extra time I have had but am not looking forward to undergoing dissection again.

What can you tell me about the latest procedures and any hope for my situation?

Thanks Adam.

Spike


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