Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Vs. Traditional Open-heart Surgery: A Comparative Guide

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. There are two distinct approaches for treating cardiovascular diseases including minimally invasive cardiac surgery and traditional open heart surgery. Each comes with its benefits and drawbacks and so understanding their differences can help you decide on the best option for you.

Keep reading to know more about minimally invasive cardiac surgery and traditional open heart surgery, their benefits, risks, and considerations to help patients make the right choice!

What Is Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery?

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is an innovative alternative to traditional open heart surgery, which involves the use of small incisions for precise instruments and cameras to access the heart. 

It is often called keyhole surgery and is used to achieve the same surgical goals as traditional cardiac surgery but minimize the trauma to surrounding tissues.

It is suitable for performing different procedures, including

  • Valve repair or replacement
  • Atrial septal defect closure
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery
  • Aneurysm repair
  • Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation

How Is Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Performed?

Minimally invasive heart surgeries are performed through endoscopic tools, robot assistance, or catheters.

  • Surgeons make one or more small incisions about 2-4 inches between the ribs.ย 
  • Surgical instruments, along with a tiny camera, are inserted through the incisions.
  • The surgeon performs the necessary repairs and surgery using those instruments. In some cases, the heart-lung machine may be required.
  • After the surgery, instruments and cameras are removed, and smaller incisions are closed with stitches or staples.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

The various benefits of minimally invasive cardiac surgery are

  • Less pain and discomfort
  • Less scarring and less trauma to muscles and tissues
  • Lower risk of infection and bleeding
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Quicker recovery time

Cons of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

The cons of minimally invasive cardiac surgery are

  • Unsuitable for all heart conditions depending on the patientโ€™s overall health and complexity
  • Longer procedure time compared to traditional heart surgery
  • Requires specialized trained healthcare professionals to perform the surgery

What Is Traditional Open Heart Surgery?

Traditional open heart surgery involves making a large incision through the breastbone in the chest to access the heart. It remains an important procedure for many patients with complex cardiac conditions.

It can be done to perform different procedures, including

How Is Open-Heart Surgery Performed?

The different steps involved in performing open-heart surgery are

  • The patient is placed under general anesthesia.
  • The surgeon makes an 8-10 incision on the chest and through the breastbone to access the heart.
  • Sometimes, the surgeon may use a heart-lung bypass machine to temporarily stop the heart and circulate the blood during the procedure.
  • The surgeon performs suitable surgery depending on the patientโ€™s condition.
  • The patient is then weaned off the heart-lung machine and then the incision is sutured.

Benefits of Open Heart Surgery

The benefits of open heart surgery are

  • Suitable for complex, intricate cardiac conditions requiring precise surgical intervention
  • Refined procedures over the years, resulting in established procedures and successful outcomes.
  • Many surgeons are experienced with traditional surgeries contributing to an elevated degree of familiarity and expertise.

Cons of Open Heart Surgery

The cons of open heart surgery are

  • More scarring due to the involvement of larger incisions.
  • Longer recovery time
  • High risk of infection and complications associated with larger precisions
  • Damage to surrounding areas/tissues
  • Irregular heartbeat

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Vs Traditional Open Heart Surgery: Key Differences

The choice between minimally invasive cardiac surgery and traditional open heart surgery depends on several factors, including heart condition, the patientโ€™s overall health, the surgeonโ€™s expertise, and the patientโ€™s preference. 

Minimally Invasive Cardiac SurgeryTraditional Open Heart Surgery
Incision sizeSmaller incisionsA large incision in the chest opening the breastbone
Recovery timeShorter recovery time and hospital stayLonger recovery time and hospital stay
Return to normal activitiesRequires shorter time to return to normal activities Requires longer time to return to normal activities
Pain and discomfortLesser pain and discomfortMore pain and discomfort due to larger incisions
ScarringLess noticeable scarringVisible scarring
Risk of infectionLower risk of infection and less blood lossHigher risk of infection
Duration of surgeryNeeds a longer time to perform due to the precision requiredMay be quicker due to established protocols.
VisibilityLimited visibility and relies on cameras and precise instrumentsFull visibility of the heart and direct access for the surgeon
SuitabilityNot suitable for all patients and may not work for complex casesTypically used for complex cases when minimally invasive cardiac surgery is not an option

Table: Comparison between Minimally Invasive cardiac surgery and Open-heart surgery

Heart360 Care, located in Chennai, led by Dr. Nikhil P.J. Theckumparampil, utilizes the latest surgical technologies and offers the best treatment for both minimally invasive and open-heart procedures. At Heart360 Care, our heart specialists work closely with the patients to determine the appropriate approach for you. 

Cost of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery or Traditional Open Heart Surgery

The different deciding factors that affect the price of minimally invasive and open heart surgery in India are

  • Type and location of hospital
  • Expertise of surgeon
  • Patientโ€™s health condition
  • Type of surgery performed
  • Pre and post-operative issues

The cost of minimally invasive cardiac surgery may vary between INR 3,00,000-10,00,000 depending on the type of surgery performed and the complexity involved.

In contrast, the cost of open heart surgery varies between INR 1,00,000- 5,00,000. 

Recovery Time and Post-Surgery Care

Both minimally invasive procedures and open-heart surgery require regular follow-ups and rehabilitation protocols to return to normal activities.

The patient may spend 3-5 days in the hospital after the minimally invasive cardiac surgeries and return to normal activities within 3-6 weeks, depending on the specific procedure and the patientโ€™s health. 

In contrast, the patient may require 7-10 days in the hospital after the open heart surgery and at least 3-6 months or longer after the surgery to recover and return to normal activities. 

Conclusion

Both minimally invasive and open-heart surgeries are suitable for treating cardiovascular conditions, but they differ significantly in procedure, recovery, and outcomes. The choice between these two approaches depends on the patientโ€™s overall health, heart condition, and surgeonโ€™s expertise.

It is important to seek professional advice from experienced heart surgeons to determine the suitable heart surgery for you. If you or your family are considering heart surgery, schedule a consultation with Heart360 Care to discuss in detail about your treatment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is minimally invasive cardiac surgery suitable for all heart conditions?

No, minimally invasive heart procedures can not be used for all heart conditions. Complex cases may require direct visualization of the heart and so, open heart surgeries may work best for the best results.

How long does it take to recover from minimally invasive cardiac surgery compared to open-heart surgery?

Minimally invasive cardiac surgeries require lesser recovery time compared to open-heart surgeries as they involve smaller incisions. The patient may return to normal activities after a few days of rest and rehabilitation.

What procedures can be performed through minimally invasive heart surgery?

The different heart procedures that can be done with minimally invasive heart surgery are atrioventricular septal defect surgery, maze procedure for atrial fibrillation, heart valve replacement, surgery to remove heart tumors, and closure of a hole in the heart.

How do I know which surgery is suitable for me?

It is recommended to consult your healthcare professional or heart specialist to assess your cardiac condition and discuss the best treatment option suitable for your health. The choice is made depending on the patientโ€™s medical condition and heart surgery.

References

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