Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery

At Hoag Heart Valve Center, the cardiac surgeons use the daVinci¨ Surgical System robotic technology and a non-robotic mini-incision approach for minimally invasive valve repair and replacement. Minimally invasive heart valve surgery uses traditional mitral valve repair techniques with smaller incisions and specially designed surgical instruments. The benefits include a smaller incision and smaller scar (figures 1, 2 & 3). Although not yet validated by research, other benefits may include:

Reduced risk of infection
Less bleeding
Less pain and trauma
Decreased recovery time

Not everyone is a candidate for minimally invasive surgery. The following factors exclude a patient from consideration:

Severe valve damage (especially if repair through a traditional incision is probable)
More than one valve requiring repair or replacement
Clogged arteries (atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries)
Obesity
Previous heart or other chest surgery