Right Minithoracotomy Approach for Replacement of the Ascending Aorta, Hemiarch, and Aortic Valve.

A minimally invasive right anterior thoracotomy approach is the preferred technique used at our institution for isolated aortic valve pathology. We have recently introduced more complex concomitant minimally invasive procedures through this access site. Here, we describe how we perform a replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve with and without the use of circulatory arrest through a 6-cm right minimally invasive thoracotomy incision.