[Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery for Valvular Heart Disease in Japan;Past and Present]

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) through partial sternotomy or parastenal incision was introduced for valvular heart disease in 1990s, it has gradually faded because it was somehow challenging without standardized manner or positive merits for the patients. Conversely, MICS via mini-thoracotomy has been started for mostly the patients undergoing mitral valve repair in 2000s, the number of MICS through mini-thoracotomy cases has increased progressively with the supports by academic societies and a national registry database system. Some enthusiasm for less invasiveness fashion oriented smaller skin incision and endoscopic procedures. Recently, robotically-assisted mitral valve surgery has taken place under strict regulation. Performing MICS requires not only surgeon's skills but also heart team strength including anesthesiologists and perfusionists. MICS should give cosmetic benefit and patient satisfaction, and credibility for cardiologists and society. Past and current status of MICS in Japan is described based on over 20-year author's experience from partial sternotomy MICS to robotically-assisted surgery for valvular heart disease.