In times of expanding indications for transcatheter aortic valve replacement—justified or not—consistent implementation of minimally invasive strategies is needed to meet patients’ growing demands for improved quality of life and quicker postprocedural recovery. The main access routes for minimally invasive aortic valve surgeries do have their particular limitations, eg, sternal instability, lung herniation, rib luxation, or impaired wound healing induced by the loss of the right mammary artery. In this video, the authors present a more lateral access: a 5 cm skin incision in the right anterior axillary line using the third or fourth intercostal space. The technique is safe and reproducible, leaving the sternum and the ribs completely untouched and finally providing a superior cosmetic result with nearly no visible scars.
Surgery Without Visible Scars: The Right Lateral Access for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery
Citation
Wilbring M, Alexiou K, Matschke K, Eusanio MD, Kappert U. Surgery Without Visible Scars: The Right Lateral Access for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery. July 2019. doi:10.25373/ctsnet.8986331.
Reach and Traffic
36 views
Related Content
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Transapical Off-Pump Mitral Valve Repair With NeoChord DS1000 Device
By Paulo Neves et al.
Aug. 6, 2019
Valve Disease
Step-by-Step Guide: Minimally Invasive Mitral Repair With Neochords
By Tom C. Nguyen et al.
Jul. 30, 2019
Excellent work. No drains?
This really is a cool concept. The valve is not that much farther away from a lateral incision compared to a more anterior thoracotomy. This more lateral approach might also make robotic assisted AVR more feasible.
I saw your video in the DGTHG Jahestagung 2020 and this is a very nice concept.
Congratulations!
Sorry for the late reply. We use a pleural drain on the right side. Best M