What Is Open Heart Surgery?
Open heart surgery is a type of surgery in which a large incision is made in the chest in order to access the heart. Surgeons are able to execute a variety of complex cardiac treatments due to this procedure’s direct view and access to the heart.
When is Open Heart Surgery Needed?
Open Heart Surgery may be done in a number of cases. Some of them include:
- Valvular heart disease – Repair or replacement of the heart valves
- Infective endocarditis – Removal of abnormal tissue growth in the heart
- Heart transplant – Replacement of the non-functioning heart
- Aneurysm – Repair of abnormal blood vessels
- Multiple blockages in the heart – Opening up the blood vessels or inserting new vessel grafts
- Heart tumors – Removal of abnormal tumor growths in the heart
Risks and Complications of Open Heart Surgery
Because open heart surgery is an invasive procedure and requires a heart-lung machine, there is a greater chance of some risks.
Infection, bleeding, blood clots, stroke, abnormal heartbeats, or lung issues are a few possible complications.
Nonetheless, the hazards are typically controlled by thorough preoperative evaluation, excellent surgical technique, and postoperative care.
What is Closed Heart Surgery?
Closed-heart surgery is the procedure carried out on an artery or other area apart from the heart musculature through small incisions.
It is more common to repair the major vessels that transport blood to and from the heart with closed-heart surgery than the actual heart.
It is also known as “minimally invasive” surgery as it does not involve opening up of the chest.
When is Closed Heart Surgery Recommended?
Closed Heart Surgery may be done in a number of cases. Closed heart surgery indications include:
- Mitral stenosis – Repair or replacement of the mitral valve of the heart
- Aortic stenosis – Repair or replacement of the aortic valve of the heart
- As a part of Bypass surgery – To insert the catheter needed to perform Bypass
- Pacemaker insertion – To regulate the rhythm of heart beat in case of arrhythmias
Risks and Complications of Closed Heart Surgery
When it comes to risk and complications there is a difference between open heart surgery and closed heart surgery.
In general, closed-heart surgery is linked to fewer complications than open-heart surgery. Because the chest cavity is not as damaged and the heart-lung machine is not used, there may be a decreased chance of consequences, including bleeding, infection, stroke, or lung problems.
Key Difference Between Open Heart Surgery and Closed Heart Surgery
The following table highlights the key difference between open-heart surgery and closed-heart surgery:
| Open heart surgery | Closed heart surgery |
| Involves accessing the heart by opening the chest through a large incision. | Involves making incisions through the side of the chest or other small incisions to access the heart vessels or heart valves. |
| Keeps the blood flowing by using a heart-lung machine. | The use of a heart-lung machine is not required. |
| Involves making a large chest incision. | Only small incisions are necessary. |
| Longer recovery time as a result of the procedure’s invasiveness. | The recovery time can range from a few weeks to many months. |
| Suitable for a variety of complex cardiac procedures. | Utilized specifically to repair heart valves or to insert pacemaker or bypass catheter. |
| Longer hospital stay as it is a complex surgery. | Hospital stay may vary from a few days to a few weeks. |
| Larger scar. | Smaller scar. |
Recovery Time: Open Heart vs Closed Heart Surgery
If we look at open vs closed heart surgery recovery, closed heart surgery has a shorter recovery period (few weeks to few months) than open heart surgery.
A quicker return to regular activities, less pain, and less tissue damage are the outcomes of Closed Heart Surgery.
Cost Comparison: Open Heart Surgery vs Closed Heart Surgery
The average cost of open heart surgery vs closed heart surgery is as follows: open heart surgery costs between 1.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs in India, while closed heart surgery costs between 1.3 lakhs to 5 lakhs depending on what the surgery is for.
Compared to open heart surgery, closed heart surgery may be less costly. Overall cost reductions may result from shorter operating room times, shorter hospital stays, and possibly fewer complications.
It’s important to keep in mind that closed heart surgery calls for specific knowledge and proficiency with minimally invasive procedures, so that may increase the cost of Closed Heart Surgery.
Success Rates of open-heart and closed-heart surgeries
Open heart surgery has variable survival rates, which depend largely on whether complications occurred during or after the surgery.
About 2.7 – 13.7% of patients die after open heart surgery, particularly due to infections. Open heart surgery survival rate is 86.3 – 97.3.
On the other hand, Closed heart surgery boasts of survival rate between 97.2 – 99%.
Conclusion
For more information on the difference Between Open Heart Surgery and Closed Heart Surgery, book a consultation with Dr Nikhil P.J.Theckumparampil, Heart Specialist & Cardiac-Surgeon, at Heart360 Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although this surgery is applicable to all patients, there are some cases in which it cannot be performed. This includes: patients with more severe lung issues, patients who need aortic valve surgery for the second time and patients over 75 years old.
Closed heart surgery may be performed for mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis and arrhythmias.
Minimally invasive heart surgery typically takes three to four hours to complete. Following minimally invasive surgery and contemporary techniques, it is shorter in terms of duration compared to open heart surgery.
The type of surgery to be performed depends on the reason for the surgery, the diagnosis as well as the severity of the heart disease. Consult your doctor to know what is right for you.
