Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery Through Right Lateral Minithoracotomy - Early Experience of Clinical Centre of University of Sarajevo

Introduction: In this article we would like to make an institutional report and ourearly experience in video-assisted right minithoracotomy approach for mitral valvesurgery. Case report: Surgical technique include mitral valve repair or replacementthrough right lateral minithoracotomy, percutaneous cannulation for venousdrainage and optional femoral or distal ascendant aortic cannulation for vacuumassisted CPB, direct cross clamping of the aorta with anterograde administration ofthe cardioplegic solution for inducing cardiac arrest. Mean CPB time was 128min+/- 41min, mean Cross clamping time was 70 min +/- 14min. Mean ICU stay was1.2 days, while mean blood transfusion was 0,8 package/patient, no complicationshas occurred and the patients were discharged between the 4th and 7th postoperativeday. Echocardiographically follow-up (2-6 months) showed absence of mitralvalve regurgitation in the mitral repair patients and good functioning of prostheticvalves. Conclusion: Minimally invasive mitral valve procedures through right lateralminithoracotomy might be effective alternative to full sternotomy approach in mitralvalve surgery.