Port-Access Mitral Valve Surgery - An Evolution of Technique

• Published in: Seminars in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 829 - 837
• Main Authors: Barac, Yaron D., MD, PhD, Glower, Donald D., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Cardiac Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Cardiothoracic Surgery; Humans; Minimal invasive; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Mitral repair; Mitral Valve - diagnostic imaging; Mitral Valve - surgery; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - diagnostic imaging; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - surgery; Sternotomy; Heart valve prosthesis; Minimal invasive; Mitral valve repair; Mitral repair
• ISSN: 1043-0679; 1532-9488
• DOI: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2019.09.003

Port-Access mitral valve surgery has been around since 1995; and many variations upon the technique have been developed. Since 1996 we have performed more than 2,500 port-Access mitral valve surgeries, and thus gained a substantial experience. The purpose of this document is to describe the current status of port access mitral surgery at one institution, and to share the “know how” and life lessons behind the patient selection and conduct of the operation to accomplish results similar to those achieved from sternotomy mitral valve surgery. While port access started in larger institutions, it can be performed in small centers with the proper guidance of the pearls and pitfalls of this operation, given to young surgeons regarding the right way to start a program.