| Keyhole heart surgery is a sophisticated technique | | | | wear a blouse, an open shirt or an evening gown. |
| that allows a specialized heart surgeon to perform | | | | This technique is also known as scarless heart |
| his operations through tiny incisions on the chest | | | | surgery. |
| wall. This minimally invasive approach is an | | | | 3. The wounds heal very quickly and infections |
| excellent alternative to the traditional 12-14" long | | | | are almost unheard of because there is no bone |
| midline incision that breaks the breast bone in the | | | | cutting. This is extremely important in ladies |
| middle of the chest. Many cardiothoracic surgeons | | | | affected by severe osteoporosis (brittle |
| in the US and abroad did not have the opportunity | | | | decalcified bones) |
| or willingness yet to learn all the nuances of these | | | | 4. A lot less bleeding because the whole operation |
| advanced surgical techniques that are now | | | | is carried out through a small area and does not |
| available. If open heart surgery is what you | | | | leave any broken bone surface that can cause |
| need...read on to know your best options and | | | | postoperative bleeding. |
| shop around before you make your choice. | | | | 5. A lot less pain because it is a much smaller |
| Almost every patient can be candidate for these | | | | incision that can be completely numbed up with |
| keyhole techniques. We can routinely use minimally | | | | Novocaine or other local anesthetic agents at the |
| invasive approaches in most mitral valve repairs | | | | end of the surgical procedure. This will allow most |
| or replacements, aortic valve operations, atrial | | | | patients to wake up completely pain-free |
| septal defects (ASD's), heart tumor resections | | | | 6. Most patients enjoy a rapid recovery are able |
| and many coronary cases. | | | | to return home in two or three days |
| Here is what can you can expect from this type | | | | 7. Many patients can return to work in less than |
| of surgery: | | | | two weeks, if they really have to... I always |
| | | | recommend taking at least two or three weeks |
| 1. The keyhole operations are carried out with | | | | off to recover at your own pace. |
| great precision and accuracy and have several | | | | If your local doctors don't offer these surgical |
| advantages over the traditional breaking of the | | | | options ASK ABOUT THEM! You should never be |
| breast bone. | | | | shy about finding out what your best options are. |
| 2. The incisions are placed in between two ribs on | | | | Consult a specialist in minimally invasive techniques |
| the side of the chest and can often be hidden in | | | | to see if you are a candidate for keyhole surgery. |
| the skin fold underneath the breast with excellent | | | | It's your body, your heart, your life!! |
| cosmetic results and no visible scars when you | | | | |