Left Anterior Minithoracotomy for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Adults

Surgical interventions on the pulmonary valve in adults have been increasing over the years, as patients with congenital heart diseases are experiencing extended lifespans. Reoperations involving multiple sternotomies exhibit elevated morbidity and mortality rates. With nearly two decades of experience in minimally invasive video-assisted mitral valve surgery, we have chosen the left anterior minithoracotomy approach for addressing the pulmonary valve and right ventricular outflow tract in adult patients. The technique demonstrates safety based on initial outcomes, minimizing potential complications from multiple cardiac reapproaches. Our series of five patients demonstrated an absence of postoperative complications or mortality.