Keyhole cardiac surgery, also known as minimally invasive cardiac surgery, is a surgical approach to heart procedures that is designed to reduce the invasiveness of traditional open-heart surgery. This technique involves making smaller incisions, often using specialized instruments to access and repair or treat cardiac conditions.
Dr.Nikhil says, “MICS aim to achieve the same surgical goals as traditional open-heart surgery but with smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and quicker return to work, in properly selected patients.”
Here are some key points about minimally invasive cardiac surgery:
Procedures: Various cardiac procedures can be performed using minimally invasive techniques, including:
– Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG):
Minimally invasive CABG, also known as MIDCAB or LITA to LAD, is used to bypass blocked coronary arteries with small incisions, often without the use of a heart-lung machine. Multivessel bypass is also possible in selected patients
– Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement:
Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is performed through small incisions in the chest, allowing for repair or replacement of the mitral valve.
– Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) Closure:
These procedures close abnormal openings in the heart using small incisions.
– Aortic Valve Replacement:
Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery involves replacing the aortic valve through small incisions.
Benefits:
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery offers several advantages, including smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, and potentially fewer complications. It also typically results in improved cosmetic outcomes, as the incisions are much smaller and less visible.
Candidates:
Not all patients are suitable candidates for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The decision depends on the type and complexity of the heart condition, the patient’s overall health, and the experience and expertise of the surgical team.
Procedure Duration:
Minimally invasive procedures may take longer to perform compared to traditional open-heart surgery, as they require specialized skills and techniques.
Recovery:
Recovery after minimally invasive cardiac surgery can be quicker, with most patients spending less time in the hospital. MICS patients usually recover in 3-4 weeks time. However, the exact recovery timeline varies depending on the procedure and individual factors.
Risks:
While minimally invasive cardiac surgery offers many benefits, there are still potential risks, including infection, bleeding, and complications specific to the procedure. However some of these risks are much lower than with open surgery.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery represents an important advancement in the field of cardiovascular surgery. It is a valuable option for many patients who require heart procedures but want to minimize the physical impact of surgery. Patients should consult with their cardiac surgeon to see if they are suitable candidates for minimally invasive cardiac surgery and to discuss the best treatment options for their specific cardiac condition.