[Minimally invasive approach for heart valve replacement: report of 73 cases]

To report a new minimally invasive approach for heart valve operation.

Through right minimal vertical infra-axillary thoracotomy incision (by intercostal space), 68 patients with rheumatic heart disease, 2 patients with subacute endocarditis, and 3 patients with congenital heart disease underwent heart valve replacement from March 1997 to Spring 1998.

30 double valve replacements, 33 mitral valve replacements, 10 aortic valve replacements and 14 DeVega tricuspid annuloplasty were performed. The length of the incision averaged (8.5 +/- 0.9) cm, arrest times averaged (88.6 +/- 33.8) min, cardiopulmonary bypass times averaged (117.0 +/- 45.9) min. Five mitral valve replacements were performed with ventricular fibrillation. Ventilator periods averaged (9.6 +/- 3.6) h, chest tube drainage averaged (264.5 +/- 184.3) ml. One patient died of cerebral bleeding in hospital. Two patients suffered SBE and one of them died. The results of follow up for other patients were fine.

This minimally incisive valve operation is a new safe, small wounded and cosmetic approach for heart valve replacement.