Cardiac surgeries are done to treat a wide range of ailments related to the heart. The advancements in medical science have immensely benefitted patients in many ways, minimally invasive cardiac surgery being one of them.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgeries are performed using small incisions. But to understand the procedure, it is helpful to compare it with open-heart surgery. In open-heart surgery, the breastbone is cut, which means the incision is much larger. For a long time, open-heart surgery was the only option for patients with severe cardiac problems. However, the advent of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has changed that completely.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery:
This type of surgery involves making small incisions on the right side of the chest, which makes it easier for surgeons to reach the heart through the ribs.
The advantage of this surgery:
Unlike open-heart surgery, minimally invasive cardiac surgery is less painful, has a shorter recovery time, and offers other crucial benefits. Some of these are as follows:
· Short hospital stays and quick recoveries allow individuals to get back to their normal lives without too much interruption. In other words, they can pick up where they left off without too much hassle.
· Minimally invasive open-heart surgery has smaller or barely noticeable scars in comparison to the large scars left behind by traditional open-heart surgery.
· Less blood loss
· Decreased chances of infection
· Reduced trauma and pain
Who will take benefit from this surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for minimally invasive heart surgery. The decision of whether to refer a patient for minimally invasive or open-heart surgery is made after a careful review of many factors, including the patient’s overall health, the condition being treated, and the patient’s medical history. Minimally invasive heart surgery is complex, and it takes experts trained in the procedure to successfully complete the surgery.
Conditions for which minimally invasive heart surgery is preferred:
· Mitral valve repair or replacement
· Atrioventricular septal defect surgery
· Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation
· Coronary artery bypass surgery
· Saphenous vein harvest for coronary artery bypass surgery
· Atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closure
· Aortic valve replacement
· Tricuspid valve repair or replacement
The risk factors of this Surgery:
Although minimally invasive cardiac surgeries boast many advantages, it is important to be aware of the potential risks involved, including:
· Stroke
· Infection
· Bleeding
· Loss of life
· Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Life after Minimally invasive cardiac surgery:
As we’ve already mentioned, minimally invasive cardiac surgery will allow you to return to your normal life rather quickly. The surgery will significantly improve the quality of your life and reduce your symptoms. Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice regarding your day-to-day activities, such as work, exercise, and driving.
One of the most important things you can do after surgery is to make sure you never miss a follow-up appointment. Following your doctor’s post-operative care plan is crucial to ensure a full and successful recovery.
Source: https://gktiyer.blogspot.com/2023/01/what-is-minimally-invasive-cardiac.html