Commentary: Is minimally invasive mitral approach after a previous sternotomy still competitive?

In the setting of previous cardiac operations, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) combines the advantage of less invasiveness (i.e. less chest trauma and fast recovery) with the less risks associated with resternotomy.1 Specifically, right minithoracotomy approach has shown to reduce the risk of damaging major structures such as patent left internal mammary artery (LIMA), right ventricle and aorta, requires less dissection of pericardial adehesions and consequently associated with less bleeding and blood transfusion when compared to re-sternotomy.
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: ADULT – Commentary Source Type: research