Current approaches to minimally invasive aortic valve surgery

Minimally invasive as it applies to aortic valve surgery refers to the expo sure required to perform the aortic procedure, because total cardiopulmonar y bypass is still required. Initial experience used the anterior thoracotom y, but recent series report the ministernotomy or "J" incision as the prefe rred technique for exposure, Though pain, blood loss, and length of stay ma y not be significantly different when compared with the conventional techni que, lower costs and earlier recovery may be achieved. Minimally invasive a ortic valve surgery is a technique that is still evolving. (C) 2000 Lippinc ott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.