title: Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery via Mini-Thoracotomy: Current Update.
abstract: In recent years, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has established itself as an alternative and increasingly used option for patients with mitral valve (MV) pathology. MIMVS is associated with a very low perioperative morbidity and mortality rate in appropriately selected patients, comparable to a full sternotomy approach. Besides superior cosmetic results, patients after MIMVS enjoy shorter recovery times and earlier returns to full activity. A number of approaches are branded as minimally invasive, but the most widely used one entails peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass and a small right anterolateral mini-thoracotomy. The operative technique and outcomes of this approach are summarized in the current update.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cox 630, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. smelnitchouk@partners.org.
authors.forename: Serguei I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Melnitchouk
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Yawkey 5B, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. jdalbianco@partners.org.
authors.forename: Jacob P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dal-Bianco
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, 177 Fort Washington Ave, Milstein 7GN-435, New York, NY, 10032, USA. mb3851@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Borger
keywords: Endoscopic; Mini-thoracotomy; Minimally invasive; Mitral valve repair