3 Advantages of Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

New technologies are emerging all the time. As open heart surgery treatments advance, there are new options and choices facing patients. As you move toward open heart surgery as a treatment, consider all your options and weigh the benefits and risks with your medical team to decide the best course of action. With a doctor you can trust, like Dr. Ciuffo, you can start to understand the procedures more than before and not worry about making the right decision. Our team is here for you every step of the process.  

Open Heart Surgery

It used to be that open heart surgery was a last-resort risk. The recovery time was slow, and the procedure often left behind large scars which took a long time to heal. To reach the heart, traditional open heart surgery involves breaking through the ribcage, usually through the sternum itself. This left the patient with a long, hard, and often painful recovery. New techniques and technologies allow for a much less invasive option for most patients.

Sternotomy

Traditionally, open heart surgery, or sternotomy, meant entering the chest through a large incision, breaking the sternum to reach the heart, and performing the surgery. The potential problems included inflammation, swelling, pain, a longer recovery, and infection. The shock to the heart and the blood loss made it more difficult for patients to recover fully and heal efficiently. Fortunately, minimally invasive heart surgery options are now available.

Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

With minimally invasive heart surgery, there is a much smaller incision, which can often be hidden beneath the fold of a breast. Since the incision is made between the rib bones rather than entering through the sternum, recovery time is much shorter and less painful. The risk of infection is also greatly lowered. The body suffers far less trauma without the need for breaking bones and large, invasive incisions. If you’re ready to explore the possibilities minimally invasive heart surgery offers, call Dr. Ciuffo for a consultation.