Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery

Most valve surgery is performed using the traditional method of a standard mid-sternum incision. Stamford Hospital is among a select few hospitals nationally where patients can have this surgery performed in a minimally invasive fashion.

The surgical team at the Stamford HVI performs valve surgery without dividing the sternum. During this operation an incision is made in the right chest above the right breast, and the operation is performed by spreading the patient's ribs, resulting in a quicker recovery time. Since the sternum is not divided, these patients return home with very few restrictions, heal faster, and are able to return to their normal activities sooner.

The mitral and tricuspid valves can be operated on from the right side of the chest, through a small incision between the ribs rather than a sternum-splitting incision on the front of the chest. Similarly, the aortic valve can be operated on through a similar incision between the ribs in the right upper chest. The result is smaller, less intrusive incisions that keep the chest cage intact. This leads to faster recovery with less post-operative restrictions

Traditional Valve   Surgery					Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery