Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery

Having open-heart surgery is frightening enough, so knowing there are good options to make your experience less painful, and your recovery faster is comforting. Both mitral and aortic valve surgery can now be performed safely and effectively through incisions as small as 6 cm without separating your entire sternum (breast bone). In some instances, no bone is divided at all.

At Bellin Health we have years of experience with minimally invasive surgical techniques in Urology, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology in addition to Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. Minimally Invasive Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery has been performed in our system for over 10 years to treat lung cancer, esophageal disorders and heart valve disease; and the experience continues to grow annually. Because minimally invasive techniques span all of our surgical disciplines, the depth and width of our resources and capabilities is constantly expanding. These factors give us confidence in offering you the safest and most effective methods to meet your needs in the safest and least invasive way possible.

The smaller incisions mean far less pain after surgery and full recovery comes after a period of days instead of 3-4 months. Research has also shown that minimally invasive valve surgery is associated with less bleeding, and fewer complications.

With minimally invasive techniques, heart valves can be repaired or replaced with artificial valves using the same methods as the traditional operation. In fact, with minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, access and visualization of the valve is actually better for the surgeon than with the traditional operation. As a result, the same operation can be performed with equal safety and success, but with minimally invasive valve surgery, the incisions are smaller, the pain is reduced and there are fewer post-operative complications.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Better cosmetic result with smaller scars
  • Less trauma to the chest wall
  • Lower risk of infection
  • Lower risk of bleeding or need for blood transfusion
  • Faster recovery and return to normal activity/work

Types of Minimally Invasive Valve and Related Surgeries Available:

  • Mitral Valve Repair
  • Mitral Valve Replacement
  • Aortic Valve Replacement
  • Resection of Subaortic Stenosis
  • Atrial Septal Defect Closure/Repair