WHAT IS MINIMALLY INVASIVE CARDIAC SURGERY (MICS)?

Let's know in detail from Dr. Dhaval Naik, experienced Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgeon from Ahmedabad.

Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery or Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery or keyhole surgery, is a surgery when a conventional surgery is performed on or inside heart using only small incisions in the right side of your chest.

Cardiac surgeons don’t cut the breast bone, rather they operate between the ribs making the surgery less painful and a quicker recovery for many patients.

Similar to open surgery, some minimally invasive heart surgery procedures may require stopping your heart temporarily and diverting blood flow from your heart using a heart-lung bypass machine.

TYPES OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE HEART SURGERIES

A wide range of procedures can be done using minimally invasive techniques to help make recovery faster, less painful and more comfortable. Robotically assisted heart surgery can be used for:

• Mitral valve repair and replacement
• Tricuspid valve repair and replacement
• Aortic valve replacement
• Ablation of atrial fibrillation (if other robotic surgery is required)
• Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) repair
• Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) repair
• Removal of cardiac tumors (Myxoma, Fibroelastoma)

POTENTIAL BENEFITS

• Minimally invasive heart surgery isn't an option for everyone, but it can offer potential benefits:
• Less blood loss
• Lower risk of infection
• Reduced trauma and pain
• Shorter time in the hospital, faster recovery and quicker return to normal activities
• Smaller, less noticeable scars

Who is an ideal candidate for minimally invasive heart surgery?
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for minimally invasive heart surgery. Your cardiac surgeon and treatment team will work with you with certain tests and examination to determine whether minimally invasive heart surgery is an option to treat your heart condition.

WHAT TO EXPECT – DURING THE PROCEDURE?

Minimally invasive heart surgery includes robot-assisted heart surgery. In robot-assisted heart surgery, your surgeon works at remote console and views your heart in a 3D high definition monitor.

Surgeon’s hand movements are replicated precisely by the robotic hands at the operating table. A second surgeon and surgical team will be assisting at the operating table, changing surgical instruments attached to the robotic arms.

WHAT TO EXPECT – AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

Patient will spend a day or two in ICU post surgery. They will be given fluids and medications through Intravenous (IV) lines. You may also be given oxygen.

After you are taken to normal room from ICU, your treatment team may monitor your blood pressure, breathing and heart rate. You will be instructed to walk gradually to increase your activity. When you leave hospital after 7-8 days, your treatment team may instruct you about your recovery, how to care about your incisions, medications, managing post surgery pain and discomfort and other side effects of your surgery.