Cardiac Surgery through small incision, also known as Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery is a process in which heart surgeries are performed by making small incisions in the chest area instead of the conventional open heart surgery. The process is also known as The McGinn Technique. Recovery in this kind of surgery is quicker when compared to open heart surgery. Moreover, the period of hospital stay and the chances of infection post-surgery are also quite low in this minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The best thing is that the process of healing is also faster with this kind of surgery.

What are the conditions for which minimally invasive cardiac surgery can be done?

There are various kinds of cardiac procedures for which minimally invasive cardiac surgery can be done. Some of them are as follows:

• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
• Valve surgery – both aortic valve and mitral valve
• Aneurysm repair
• Congenital cardiac disease

What happens during minimally invasive cardiac surgery?

As it has been already mentioned, in the process of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, small incisions are made in between the ribs/sternum. It is through these incisions that small tools and equipments are inserted inside the body and they are controlled from outside via a computer. Also known as robotic assisted surgery, an electronic operating station is needed for this kind of surgery to take place. It is from this station that the surgeon controls the whole process with robotic arms and a high-definition
camera.

Anesthesia is administered so that no pain is felt during the surgery. Once the incisions are made, the tools are inserted through the incisions. Different tools are inserted through different incisions and the whole process is controlled by the surgeon via a computerized device. The surgical tools are integrated with robotic hands and the doctor controls the hands carrying out the surgery. The instruments are completely controlled and manipulated by the doctor via the device and the procedure can be
completed more precisely.

Once the surgery is done successfully, all the equipment’s and tools are removed out of the body through the same incisions. The incisions are then stitched and the procedure is complete. Both aortic and mitral valve surgeries have seen great results with this kind of surgery.

What are the benefits of minimally invasive cardiac surgery?

Since minimally invasive cardiac surgery does not need making any kinds of deep and large incisions, there are many benefits from the process. Some of the prominent ones are as follows:

• Leads to minimum blood loss during the surgical process
• Smaller and fewer incisions need to be made on the body
• Lesser damage to cells, tissues and muscles
• Lesser pain and less period of hospital stay
• Less chances of infection
• Quicker healing and faster recovery time
• Less visible scars

Risks of minimally invasive cardiac surgery

All kinds of surgeries come with their share of risks and complications. There might be risks with the anesthesia or chances of infections at the site of the incisions. Also, since the tools and equipments in this kind of surgery are controlled and manipulated from outside by the surgeon, a small error can prove to be highly risky. This is the reason all patients are not suitable for this kind of surgery. After checking all the reports, the health condition and age of the patient, the doctor will decide if minimally invasive cardiac surgery can be done. For some patients, the conventional surgery is the safer and less-risky way.

A patient is kept in the hospital for about 3-5 days, depending on the condition. It takes about 2-4 weeks to recover from the surgery completely and resume daily activities. There will still be some restrictions and precautions that need to be taken. It is also recommended to take the medications as prescribed and suggested by the doctor thoroughly and sincerely. Complete cure is possible taking into consideration that the surgery is done on time and the instructions are followed religiously.