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Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
Mitral Valve Repair Through a Right Mini-Thoracotomy After Retrosternal Esophageal Reconstruction
Koki Ikemoto1, Akiyuki Takahashi1, Kazunari Ohkawa1
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Society Kyoto Daiichi Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
Abstract:
The median sternotomy approach presents significant challenges in patients who have a neo-esophageal conduit through the retrosternal route. We report a case of successful mitral valve repair through a right mini-thoracotomy to avoid injury to the neo-esophageal conduit in a 74-year-old man with a history of retrosternal reconstruction after esophagectomy. Intraoperative direct echocardiography was used to assess the severity of mitral valve regurgitation. Hence, the right mini-thoracotomy approach might be suitable in patients with a history of neo-esophageal reconstruction. In addition, direct intraoperative echocardiography might be useful when transesophageal echocardiography cannot be performed.
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