There are advances in technology every day. Our medical profession is also evolving in parallel with these technological changes. In the patient seen in the picture, a 2.5 cm diameter metal heart valve was inserted through a 3.5 cm incision. In other words, “open” heart surgery has been turned into “closed” with this method.
Excessive incision has always been a nightmare for patients in surgical branches. Of course, incision is very important for us surgeons. Especially heart surgeryBeing able to see all organ structures, being able to control their neighborhoods and being able to manage a complication (for example, bleeding) is directly proportional to the surgeon’s experience. Full Median Sternotomy (completely opening the rib cage) For us, heart surgeons, it was necessary to have control during the operation. In parallel with the advances in technology, the long incisions that frightened the patient and prevented him from undergoing surgery also started to shrink slowly. The problem was not only fear, but also aesthetics.
As seen in the picture above, the once great heart surgery ( Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement) is now performed through such an incision. In Turkey, rheumatic valve disease mostly troubles our young citizens. Everyone, whether male or female, whose valves have changed at a young age thinks about an incision. However, “closed” surgeries performed with such small incisions provide quite positive energy in terms of psychology in the postoperative period (after the surgery) and can increase the threshold for pain and bad feelings. Quality of Life It has become a factor that increases the quality of life after surgery.
Colleagues in cardiac surgery should also consider that everything is now progressing in an interventional direction. For this reason, surgeries and interventions that prioritize patient comfort, in addition to classical methods, have come to the forefront. It is necessary to “get on the train” in this area and further develop it. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is now in experienced hands, has proven itself that there is no wrong way, and has become routine in many centers.
However, it should also be known that the results of such surgeries should never be worse than those performed with the classical method. Otherwise, Euphoria will soon lead us astray…
3) Aybek T et al. Clinical outcome, pain perception and activities of daily life after minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting. Anadolu Kardiyol Derg. 2014 Mar;14(2):172-7. doi: 10.5152/akd.2014.4570. Epub 2014 Jan 14.
