Triple valve surgery through a less invasive approach: early and mid-term results

A partial upper sternotomy has become established as a less invasive approach mainly for single and double valve surgery. This report evaluates the clinical outcomes of triple valve surgery performed through a partial upper sternotomy.

We reviewed the medical records of 37 consecutive patients (28 men, 76%) who underwent triple valve surgery through a partial upper sternotomy between 2005 and 2015. The patients' mean age was 67 ± 17 years; 27 (73%) were in New York Heart Association Class III or IV. Aortic and mitral valve insufficiency was more common than stenosis. Ninety-three percent of surviving patients were followed for a mean period of 58 ± 24 months.

Aortic valve procedures consisted of 24 (65%) replacements and 13 (35%) repairs. The mitral valve was repaired in 28 (76%) patients, whereas tricuspid valve repair was feasible in all patients. No conversion to full sternotomy was necessary. Myocardial infarction was not observed. Chest tube drainage was 330 ± 190 ml, and 4 patients required reopening for bleeding (1, 3%) or tamponade (3, 8%). One stroke was observed due to heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia after initial unremarkable neurological recovery. Early mortality included 5 (13.5%) patients. Actuarial survival at 5 years was 52 ± 10%.

A partial upper sternotomy provides adequate exposure to all heart valves. We did not experience technical limitations with this approach. Wound dehiscence, postoperative bleeding, intensive care unit and hospital stay and early deaths were low compared to data from other published series of triple valve surgery through a full median sternotomy. Early and mid-term outcomes were not adversely affected by this less invasive approach.