MICS | Nadkarni Clinic

Potential Patient Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery is believed to have the same beneficial results as conventional surgery--restoring adequate blood flow and normal delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the heart/valve repair or replacement. Minimally invasive surgery, however, has additional advantages related to the ability of the surgeon to work on a beating heart or through smaller incisions.

Shorter length of stay: Patients may experience less pain and may have a better ability to cough and breathe deeply after the operation so they are often discharged from the hospital in 2 to 3 days, compared to the typical 5 to 10 days for conventional CABG surgery.

Faster recovery: Avoidance of the heart-lung machine and the use of smaller incisions may reduce the risks of complications such as stroke and renal failure so that patients can return to their normal activities in 2 weeks rather than the typical 6 to 8 weeks with conventional surgery.

Less bleeding and blood trauma: Any time blood is removed from the body and put into the heart-lung machine, the patient must be put on anticlotting medications or given "blood products". Artificial circuits such as the heart-lung machine can also damage blood cells. These factors may affect the blood's ability to clot after surgery. Avoiding the heart-lung machine can alleviate this blood trauma.

Lower infection rate: A smaller incision means less exposure and handling of tissue, which may reduce the chances of infection.

Available to more patients: Some patients are poor candidates for traditional bypass surgery because their illness is too widespread, their heart is too weak, or because they will not accept blood products. Some patients are able to receive this life-saving surgery through minimally invasive techniques.