Understanding Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery

Blood flows from your left and right atria (upper chambers of your heart) to the left and right ventricles (lower chambers), respectively. The right atrium and right ventricle are separated by the mitral valve (MV). The left atrium and left ventricle are separated by the pulmonic valve.

The mitral valve can malfunction by failing to close or open properly. In the former case, blood can potentially flow backward from the ventricle into the atrium. In the latter case, blood may be prevented from flowing into the ventricle.

When the MV fails to work properly, surgeons can either replace it or repair it. This article will discuss the surgery that is performed to repair the MV. We'll describe the traditional approach before explaining how minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is performed.

The Traditional Approach

Before the technology and tools that are used today debuted, surgeons were forced to cut through the patient's sternum in order to access the MV. Then, the patient's ribs were forced apart. The incision that was required in order to perform this type of procedure was large (six to eight inches). Plus, due to the high-trauma nature of the operation, the mortality rate was higher than observed with the less invasive methods that are used today.

Using Robotic Assistance

The use of robotic tools is becoming more popular when performing mitral valve repair surgery. Rather than gaining direct entry to the site, the surgeon can use a computer in order to control robotic arms. The arms are adorned with surgical instruments on the ends. As a result, the doctor needs far less room to perform the necessary repairs.

Because the computer-controlled robotic tools are smaller and more precise than the surgeon's hands and fingers, they can repair the mitral valve within a limited space. As a result, it is no longer necessary to make a large incision. In fact, the surgeon does not need to go through the patient's breastbone in order to access the MV. Nor is it necessary to spread apart the ribs.

This minimally invasive method delivers several key advantages over the traditional approach. There is less bleeding and trauma, which translates into a lower level of pain for the patient. There is less likelihood of infection. The amount of time the patient is required to stay in the hospital following the operation is dramatically reduced. So too, is the recovery time. It's not uncommon for the patient to be fully recovered within two or three weeks (compared to up to two months for open heart surgery).

It is worth noting that not every person is a candidate for minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. Your age and the severity of the valvular disease are important. Plus, your medical history may include details that the surgical team consider too great a risk. The surgeon will help you decide if this form of surgery is the most appropriate route given your circumstances.