In the modern era of cardiac surgery, most operations have been performed via midline sternotomy using artificial circulation. However, this paradigm is changing as minimally invasive techniques are increasingly utilized in cardiovascular surgery. Advances in patient assessment, instrumentation, and operative techniques have allowed surgeons to perform a wide range of complex operations through smaller incisions and, in some cases, without artificial circulation. Given that patients desire less invasive surgeries and the literature supports reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, less postoperative pain, and better cosmetic outcomes, minimally invasive cardiac surgery should be widely practiced. In this article, we review the incisions and approaches currently used in minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery.

Cardiac surgery, minimally invasive surgery, valve surgery

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