Minimally invasive cardiac surgery

What is minimally invasive cardiac surgery?

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is a set of techniques in which surgeons perform operations through very small incisions — roughly the size of a paper clip.

Conditions that can be treated with minimally invasive cardiac surgery include:

• atrial septal defect
• ventricular septal defect
• complete AV canal defects
• tetralogy of fallot (for some patients)

How does minimally invasive cardiac surgery differ from conventional open heart surgery?

If your child undergoes an open-heart surgical procedure that requires the use of a heart-lung bypass machine:

• the surgeon has to make a full incision across the sternum (breastbone), resulting in a very visible scar
• your child’s sternum will need to be wired, and healing of the bone would take six to eight weeks