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Updated: Dec 5, 2025
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Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
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Surgery without Scars: Right Lateral Access for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement
Manuel Wilbring1, Klaus Ehrhard Matschke1, Konstantin Alexiou1
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Heart Center Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
The Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeon
|October 19, 2020
Summary
A new minimally invasive approach for aortic valve surgery offers superior cosmetic results with nearly invisible scars. This technique complements existing surgical options within a comprehensive "360-degree approach" framework.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Techniques
Background:
- Established surgical access routes for aortic valve surgery include full sternotomy, partial upper sternotomy, and right anterolateral thoracotomy.
- A holistic institutional approach, termed the "360-degree approach," supports multiple surgical access methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a novel minimally invasive surgical approach for aortic valve surgery.
- To expand the surgical options within the "360-degree approach" framework.
Main Methods:
- A new approach utilizing a 5-7 cm skin incision in the right anterior axillary line, accessing the third interspace.
- This method provides excellent exposition of the aortic valve.
Main Results:
- The novel approach results in superior cosmetic outcomes with minimal scarring.
- It offers striking exposition of the aortic valve, comparable to established methods.
Conclusions:
- The new minimally invasive technique effectively complements existing surgical approaches for aortic valve surgery.
- The selection of surgical method is guided by institutional protocols, patient risk profiles, and anatomical factors.
