Mitral valve surgery via minimally invasive and conventional access

Abstract

To compare the immediate results of mini-thoracotomy and sternotomy in patients with mitral valve disease. The study included 52 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery (25 cases - mini-thoracotomy, 27 cases - sternotomy). Aortic cross-clamping time was significantly longer in sternotomy compared to mini-thoracotomy group - 110 vs 94 min (p=0.03). Ventilation time was also significantly longer in the sternotomy group (12 vs. 8 hours, p=0.01). Postoperative morbidity was similar (postoperative wound infection, neurological complications, coronavirus disease, overall in-hospital mortality). In addition to cosmetic effect, minimally invasive approach in mitral valve surgery has some other advantages including less duration of aortic cross-clamping and mechanical ventilation, availability of reconstructive interventions due to better exposition of the mitral valve and subvalvular structures.