Limited lower sternotomy for minimally invasive mitral valve replacement.

The minimally invasive limited lower sternotomy is a surgical approach for mitral valve operations with easy access to the left atrium. It confers the advantages of preservation of the sternocostal articulations and both internal thoracic arteries, with no need to enter either pleural cavity or resect the costal cartilages. It facilitates aortic and atrial cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass, and allows easy access to the mitral valve through the left atrium.