Cosmetic aspects in minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

The initial focus of the pioneering cardiac surgeons was appropriately centered on survival as opposed to cosmetic results. A variety of minimally invasive techniques have been introduced to perform cardiac operations through a limited incision. As the results in cardiac surgery improved, cosmetic and psychological implications of surgery become more important in the evaluation of the morbidity of these procedures. Future comparative studies will be mandatory to show whether these small incisions have an actual advantage on recovery or morbidity or whether their interest is entirely aesthetic.