What Is Keyhole Heart Surgery?

Keyhole Heart Surgery: A Minimally Invasive Alternative to Open-Heart Surgery

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with millions of people affected every year.

Traditional open-heart surgery has been the standard treatment for many heart conditions, but it comes with a long recovery time, pain, and significant scarring. Fortunately, advances in medical technology have led to the development of a minimally invasive technique known as keyhole heart surgery.

It may be a surprise to realise that keyhole heart surgery has been available for more than 30 years, yet surgeons worldwide have been slow to adopt these advanced techniques for reasons that remain unclear.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of keyhole heart surgery, the types of procedures it can be used for, and why experienced teams are essential when considering this option.

What is Keyhole Heart Surgery?

Keyhole heart surgery, also known as minimally invasive heart surgery, is a surgical technique that involves making small incisions in the chest instead of the traditional breastbone incision used in open-heart surgery.

On most occasions, these incisions are made between the ribs to avoid the need for any bone division.

The surgeon exploits the use of specialized instruments and cameras to access the heart through these small incisions, allowing for a less invasive approach with fewer complications and a faster recovery time.

The technique can be used to perform various heart procedures, including valve replacement or repair, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and aortic root replacement, and heart rhythm ablation.

What Are The Potential Benefits Of Keyhole Heart Surgery?

There are several benefits to choosing keyhole heart surgery over traditional open-heart surgery.

One of the most significant benefits is much quicker healing, often in a few weeks rather than several months. Patients who undergo keyhole heart surgery also report less pain and discomfort than those who undergo traditional open-heart surgery. The smaller incisions also result in less bleeding, which can reduce the need for blood transfusions during and after surgery.

Another benefit of keyhole heart surgery is a lower risk of serious bone infection. The breastbone incision used in traditional open-heart surgery can increase the risk of sternal wound infection, a potentially life-threatening complication. In keyhole heart surgery, the smaller incisions reduce the risk of infection, making it a safer option for many patients.
The smaller scars from the incisions also result in a more aesthetically pleasing outcome, which can be important for some patients.

Types of Procedures That Can Be Performed with Keyhole Heart Surgery

Keyhole heart surgery can be used to perform various heart procedures, including valve replacement or repair, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and aortic root replacement.

Valve replacement or repair: Valve replacement or repair is a common procedure performed using keyhole heart surgery. The surgeon can access the heart through small incisions and use specialized instruments to repair or replace damaged heart valves. This can help improve blood flow and relieve symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): CABG is another procedure that can be performed using keyhole heart surgery. The surgeon can use specialized instruments to access the blocked or narrowed coronary arteries and create new pathways for blood flow. This can help improve blood flow to the heart and relieve symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.

Aortic Root Replacement: Aortic root replacement is a procedure that involves replacing the aortic valve and the root of the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. This can be performed using keyhole heart surgery, which allows for a less invasive approach with a faster recovery time.

Experienced Teams are Essential When Considering Keyhole Heart Surgery

When considering keyhole heart surgery, it is crucial to find an experienced surgical team that has performed this type of surgery many times before. Experienced teams have the knowledge, skill, and expertise necessary to ensure that the procedure is performed safely and effectively, reducing the risk of complications, and improving outcomes for patients.

One of the most significant advantages of choosing an experienced keyhole heart surgery team is their ability to handle any potential complications that may arise during the procedure. Despite the minimally invasive nature of keyhole heart surgery, there is still a risk of bleeding, infection, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and damage to surrounding organs. Experienced teams are better equipped to identify and manage these complications, reducing the risk of serious complications that could impact the patient’s overall health and well-being.

Another advantage of an experienced keyhole heart surgery team is their ability to customize the procedure to the patient’s specific needs. Each patn take comfort in knowing that their surgical team has a proven track record of success, giving them confidence in the outcome of their surgery.
Patients who choose an experienced keyhole heart surgery team can also benefit from a smoother, more streamlined surgical experience. An experienced team will have established protocols in place for every step of the surgical process, from pre-operative testing to post-operative care.

This streamlined process can reduce the patient’s time in the hospital and improve their overall recovery time, allowing them to return to their daily activities more quickly.
Finally, an experienced keyhole heart surgery team can provide patients with a higher level of support and guidance throughout the surgical process. They will be able to answer any questions the patient may have and provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their care.

Patients can take comfort in knowing that they have a knowledgeable, experienced team of healthcare professionals on their side throughout the entire surgical process.In conclusion, experienced teams are essential when considering keyhole heart surgery. Patients who choose an experienced surgical team can benefit from a higher level of expertise, customized surgical approaches, and a proven track record of success.

Experienced teams can also navigate any complications that may arise during the procedure, provide a smoother, more streamlined surgical experience, and offer patients the support and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their care.

If you are considering keyhole heart surgery, be sure to find an experienced surgical team with a proven track record of success to ensure the best possible outcome for your procedure.

Keyhole Heart Surgery: An Alternative to Traditional Breastbone Surgery

If you need heart surgery, you may be apprehensive about undergoing the traditional breastbone surgery. The good news is that there is a very safe and effective alternative: keyhole heart surgery, also known as minimally invasive heart surgery. Few people know that keyhole heart surgery has been practised clinically for over 30 years and it is not a new concept. Surgeons have been reluctant to use these procedures widely because of the extensive supervised training required to become an expert.

Keyhole heart surgery involves making small incisions in the chest, rather than the large incision required for breastbone surgery. Keyhole heart surgery can be used to treat a variety of heart conditions, including aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair, tricuspid valve repair, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), hybrid CABG, multivessel CABG, aortic root replacement, and the David procedure.

Benefits of Keyhole Heart Surgery

There are many benefits to choosing keyhole heart surgery over traditional breastbone surgery.

One of the most significant advantages is that it typically results in less pain and bleeding. Because the incisions are smaller, there is also less risk of serious bone infection. Additionally, patients who undergo keyhole heart surgery often experience a shorter recovery time, typically just a few weeks rather than several months. Finally, the scars left by keyhole heart surgery are generally much smaller than those left by traditional breastbone surgery.

Candidates for Keyhole Heart Surgery

Not everyone is a candidate for keyhole heart surgery, however. Patients who have complex or severe heart disease may require the more extensive exposure provided by traditional breastbone surgery. Your doctor will be able to advise you on which type of surgery is most appropriate for your specific condition.

Finding an Experienced Keyhole Heart Surgery Team

If you are considering keyhole heart surgery, it is essential to find an experienced team of surgeons who have performed this type of surgery many times before.

Experienced teams are better equipped to handle any potential complications that may arise during the procedure. You should also ask your surgeon about their success rates for keyhole heart surgery.

Minithoracotomy vs. Ministernotomy

There are two primary approaches to keyhole heart surgery: minithoracotomy and ministernotomy.

A minithoracotomy involves making small incisions between the ribs on the side of the chest, while a ministernotomy involves making small incisions along the sternum. Your surgeon will decide which approach is best for your specific needs.

Risks and Complications of Keyhole Heart Surgery

As with any surgery, there are risks and potential complications associated with keyhole heart surgery. These may include bleeding, infection, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and damage to surrounding organs. Your surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure with you in detail before you undergo surgery.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, keyhole heart surgery offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional breastbone surgery for many heart conditions. Benefits of keyhole heart surgery include less pain, less bleeding, less risk of serious bone infection, early recovery in weeks rather than months, and smaller scars. However, experienced teams are essential when considering keyhole heart surgery. If you are considering keyhole heart surgery, talk to your doctor about whether it is right for you, and make sure to find an experienced team of surgeons who have performed this type of surgery many times before.

Author: Mr Inderpaul Birdi, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at The Keyhole Heart Clinic London.