Minimally invasive surgery with a partial sternotomy "J" approach.

The minimally invasive partial sternotomy "J" incision can be used for most isolated mitral valves, tricuspid valves, aortic valves, atrial septal defects, maze procedures, aortic repairs, and aortic valve reoperations. This article reviews the technical approaches and outcomes for various procedures. For 2,004 mitral valve repairs, our 30-day in-hospital mortality was 0.2% and for 1,103 aortic valve procedures, it was 0.8%. In addition to both a better cosmetic result and earlier return to work, the benefits include less blood loss, less pain, better respiratory function, and better 1-year survival for mitral valve procedures. Similar results have been obtained for aortic valve procedures. Thus, all patients undergoing isolated aortic or mitral valve repairs are offered a minimally invasive operation.