Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

What is minimally invasive cardiac surgery?

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery uses small chest incisions and thoracoscopic instruments to gain access to the heart. In contrast, traditional heart surgeries use a large cut in the chest to split the breastbone (also known as a sternotomy) to gain access to the heart.

As heart surgery techniques and technology improve over time, more conditions may be treated through minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery. This technique can help to reduce pain, scarring and enhances recovery while maintaining safety and efficacy.

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What are the minimally invasive cardiac surgeries available at our hospitals?

Examples include:

  • Minimally invasive mitral valve repair or replacement, which can relieve symptoms of mitral regurgitation or stenosis and prevent hospitalisation for heart failure, can be done through a small sternotomy or anterior thoracotomy
  • Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, which treats aortic valve narrowing or regurgitation, reduces symptoms and preserves the function of your heart muscle.
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB), which can be a hybrid procedure combined with stents. This surgical procedure bypasses blocked heart arteries to restore normal blood flow to the heart muscle.
  • Congenital heart diseases such as atrial septal defects (ASD) and ventricular septal defects (VSD) can also be repaired via incisions on the side, sparing the traditional sternal split.

Compared to open heart surgery, the benefits of MICS include:

  • Faster recovery
  • Less pain and scarring
  • Reduced physical and psychological trauma
  • Better cosmesis
  • Ability to resume most of your usual activities more quickly (usually within 2 – 4 weeks)
  • Earlier discharge from the hospital (usually in 3 – 4 days)

Who should not undergo minimally invasive cardiac surgery?

Not everyone is a suitable candidate for minimally invasive heart surgery. In general, minimally invasive cardiac surgery is not advised for those who have had heart surgery before.

To determine whether you are a candidate for minimally invasive heart surgery, your doctor is likely to:

  • Review your medical history
  • Conduct a physical examination
  • Perform tests (such as imaging tests, laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests and cardiac evaluation)

Your doctor and treatment team will work with you to determine the best option to treat your condition.

What are the risks and complications of minimally invasive cardiac surgery?

Minimally invasive heart surgery carries the same risks as open-heart surgery. These include:

If your surgeon thinks it is not safe to continue with the minimally invasive heart surgery approach, your procedure may need to be changed to open-heart surgery.

Why choose Mount Elizabeth Hospitals?

At Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, we have built a reputation for quality cardiovascular care and treatment in Singapore and the region.

Our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons leverage their skill and expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery to return patients to optimal heart health.

Heart patients benefit from our hospital's use of med-tech innovations that combine robot-assisted instruments with high-resolution video technology in cardiac treatments.

Our cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons

Our heart specialists and heart surgeons use sophisticated surgical techniques and medical equipment to help patients achieve good clinical outcomes.

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