UT Southwestern is amongst the few large-volume centers in the U.S. where heart valve surgery is performed without the need for a sternotomy. The operation is performed through a 2-inch incision between the ribs without cutting through any bones. This is not a robotic procedure, or a port-access approach. 

In addition to hear valve surgeries, other procedures can be performed through this unique approach, like repairing an atrial septal defect (ASD), excising a cardiac myxoma or even removing a cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. Every patient may be a candidate for this type of innovative surgical approach. UT Southwestern Medical Center is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top 20 hospitals for cardiology, heart & vascular surgery.

UT Southwestern’s valve program provides evidence-based care customized to the needs of each individual patient. This means that while most of our patients will benefit from a minimally invasive surgical approach, each case is routinely discussed by our valve team to determine what the best course of treatment may be for each individual. 

In some instances, patients will benefit from an interventional procedure, like TAVR. Other patients may need additional procedures done at the time of their surgery, like a MAZE procedure for atrial fibrillation. There are even some patients for which a surgical or interventional procedure may not be the best option. This is why each case is unique, and why they are evaluated individually by our team.

For those patients that require surgery, our minimally invasive approach, also known as a mini-thoracotomy, is performed through a 2-inch incision between the ribs without cutting through any bones. And because no bones are broken during surgery, recovery times are considerably faster, and patients usually return to work within a week.

Learn more.

UT Southwestern Clinical Heart & Vascular Center has assembled a special team of heart valve specialists that are committed to getting patients the best results. Our team consists of many leading surgeons and cardiologists that you can learn more about by clicking the links below: