Aortic valve replacement via minimal-access complete sternotomy

Minimally invasive approaches to the chest for aortic valve replacement hav e been proposed recently in an attempt to reduce postoperative pain, length of hospital stay, and scarring. An alternative approach entailing a minima l skin incision and a complete median sternotomy is presented herein. This technique combines the advantage of limited cosmetic impact with the patter n of postoperative pain and the ventilatory mechanics typical of the sterno tomy, which enables extubation upon skin closure and early discharge from t he hospital.