Choose the Right Incision for Heart Valve Valve Patients: Minimally Invasive vs. Sternotomy

In this video, Dr. Juan Pablo Umana explains what heart valve patients should understand when comparing minimally invasive surgery with a traditional sternotomy. While a smaller incision may offer cosmetic advantages and a potentially faster recovery for certain procedures, Dr. Umana emphasizes that the most important consideration is what must be accomplished inside the heart—not simply how the surgeon gains access.

Dr. Umana also discusses how the surgical approach should be tailored to the specific operation and the individual patient. Procedures such as standard aortic valve replacement may be well suited for a minimally invasive approach, while more complex operations—including aortic valve repair, valve-sparing root replacement and the Ross Procedure—may require a different incision to achieve the best long-term result, restore heart function and improve quality of life. (Video posted on July 30, 2026)