Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in Re-Do Cases-The New Standard Procedure?

Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) is superior to "classical" mitral valve surgery via a sternotomy regarding wound healing and postoperative pain. It is however a more challenging procedure. Patients' preference is leading clearly toward minimally invasive approaches, and surgeons are driven by upcoming new technologies in interventional procedures such as the MitraClip. Especially in re-do cases, the access via right mini-thoracotomy, as previously non-operated situs, is a possible advantage over a re-sternotomy. We therefore retrospectively analyzed our result regarding MIMVS in re-do cases at our institute.

From January 2011 and June 2016, 33 operations were MIMVS re-do procedures. Mean age was 60 years (±16 years), and 51% were male.

Sixty-one percent were elective cases, 29% were urgent cases, and 9% were emergency operations. Operation times, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times, and clamp times were 235 minutes (±51 min), 149 minutes (±42 min), and 62 minutes (±45min), respectively. Mitral valve repair and replacement was performed in 24% (n = 8) and 76% (n = 25), respectively. Overall in-hospital mortality, apoplexy, and re-operation rates (all for bleeding) were 0% (n = 0), 3% (n = 1), and 9% (n = 3). New onset of dialysis was required in two (6%) patients. Two (6%) patients developed superficial wound infection. Overall intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay was 3 days (±4 days) and 15 days (±7 days), respectively.

MIMVS for re-do cases can be performed with minimal mortality and morbidity and therefore represents a safe alternative to conventional mitral valve surgery in cardiac re-do operations. However, postoperative morbidity is highly dependent on preoperative patient status.