Minimally invasive congenital cardiac surgery

Description

Various minimally invasive techniques have been developed for cardiac surgery. The reduction of perioperative complications, improved postoperative recovery, shortened postoperative hospital stay with resultant lower costs, as well as reduction of pain and improved cosmetic results have led to widespread acceptance of these techniques, even in adults. Some of these approaches are, mini- sternotomy, right mini-thoracotomy, subxiphoid incision, lower mini-sternostomy, inframammary approach, robotically assisted surgeries, image guided intracardiac surgery(IGIS), thoracoscopic approach for PDA ligation and  hybrid procedures. Ministerntomy technique offers satisfactory cosmetic results, stable sternal reconstruction, good surgical exposure, minimal interference with respiratory mechanics and minimal pain, allowing extubation in the operating room and a speedy recovery.