Minithoracotomy MV procedures are feasible only for a subset of patients and not all patients. Minithoracotomy patients need more expensive equipment and expertise than conventional sternotomy approach. However their recovery is faster have less postoperative morbidity scores and have shorter hospital stay.
All patients with mitral valve disease cannot be subjected to minithoracotomy e.g. patient with major annular calcification with dilated heart, a patient with dilated LA with organized thrombus adherent to posterior wall of LA.
Minimally invasive technique depicts the attitude of the surgeon and is decided by the feasibility of the procedure to particular procedure, facilities available, and technical competence of the surgical team.
Thank you Dr mohammad.Do you think this procedure is really minimally invasive. DO agree with me that the minithoracotomy and multiple other holes are more painful than a sternotomy?