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Updated: Sep 2, 2026
Technique and Patient Selection Criteria of Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy for Minimal Access Aortic Valve Replacement
Published on: March 26, 2018
Right Mini-Thoracotomy for Mitral and Tricuspid Repair in Abdominal Situs Inversus
Yuka Kaijima1,2, Tomoyuki Suzuki1, Payam Akhyari1
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular SurgeryWest German Heart and Vascular Center, University Hospital EssenEssenGermany.
Background:
Heterotaxy with abdominal situs inversus complicates cardiac surgery due to mirror-image anatomy and associated venous anomalies.
Case Description:
A 61-year-old woman with heterotaxy, abdominal situs inversus, atrial fibrillation, and prior dual-chamber cardiac pacemaker implantation presented with New York Heart Association class III dyspnea and severe secondary mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Preoperative imaging revealed a narrow left-sided inferior vena cava and persistent left superior vena cava. Minimally invasive multivalvular repair via right minithoracotomy was successfully performed using dual-site venous drainage.
Conclusion:
Tailored venous drainage based on detailed preoperative imaging enables safe minimally invasive surgery in patients with complex venous anatomy.
