Mini-thoracotomy and full-sternotomy approach for reoperative mitral valve surgery after a previous sternotomy

Right mini-thoracotomy approach may enhance the visualization of mitral valve (MV) visualization during redo MV surgery, thereby minimizing the risk of reoperative median sternotomy. We described the clinical outcomes of redo MV surgery by mini-thoracotomy and full-sternotomy approach.

Of 730 consecutive adult patients who underwent redo MV surgery between 2002 and 2018 at our institution, we identified 380 patients (age: 56.0 [14.8] years) after excluding those who underwent concomitant aortic valve or coronary artery surgeries.

The clinical outcomes in patients who underwent mini-thoracotomy (MINI group; n = 168) and full-sternotomy (STERN group; n = 218) were described. The early and overall mortality in the MINI group was 4.3% (7/162) and 17.3% (28/162), with the rates of early major complications as follows: low cardiac output syndrome, 5.6% (9/162); early stroke, 6.8% (11/162); new-onset dialysis, 6.2% (10/162); prolonged ventilation, 15.4% (25/162); and postoperative bleeding requiring exploration, 7.4% (12/162). In the STERN group, the early mortality was 11.0% (24/218), whereas the risk of low cardiac output syndrome, early stroke, new-onset dialysis, prolonged ventilation, and postoperative bleeding was 12.4% (27/218), 14.2% (31/218), 17.0% (37/218), 33.0% (72/218), and 10.1% (22/218), respectively. The duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay was 2.0 [range 1.0, 3.0] and 8.0 [6.0, 13.0], respectively, in the MINI group and 3.0 [2.0, 7.0] and 14.0 [8.0, 29.0], respectively, in the STERN group.

Mini-thoracotomy may be a viable alternative to conventional sternotomy for redo MV surgery.