Open Heart Surgery Vs. Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

Open Heart Surgery Vs. Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery

The heart is a vital, muscular organ on which our existence depends. A healthy heart means you are quite doing very well physically, as it plays a pivotal role in nutrient absorption, pumping oxygen-rich blood, maintaining blood pressure, and in many more functions.

The heart needs utmost care and attention; however, cardiovascular diseases are the top reason behind fatalities worldwide. Your heart takes a lot of physical and emotional brunt and conditions, including coronary artery disease, leaking heart valves, blockages, etc., and needs timely surgical intervention to restore its health.

Until recently, heart surgeries were mostly open procedures where the surgeon would make a long incision on the chest to access the heart. Thanks to cutting-edge technologies in the medical field, minimally invasive heart surgeries are now like a norm, ushering hope into patients’ lives.

This article discusses everything you need to know about Open Heart Surgery and Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery.

Open Heart Surgery:

Open heart surgery, also known as traditional heart surgery, is an invasive procedure where the chest is cut open to operate on the heart’s muscles, arteries, and valves. Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is the most common type of open-heart surgery where a healthy artery or vein is grafted to the blocked coronary artery, which allows it to ‘bypass’ the blocked artery and restore oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Who Needs An Open-Heart Surgery?

Open heart invasive procedure is done in the following conditions:

Coronary heart disease is where blood vessels become narrowed down and hardened. Hardened arteries happen when fatty material forms within the coronary arteries’ walls. The plaque build-up narrows the arteries, blocking the blood flow to the heart and leading to a heart attack. Open heart surgery is recommended to treat other conditions, including:

Repair or replacement of the diseased valve

Repair abnormal areas of the heart

Implantation of medical devices like a pacemaker to regulate heartbeat

Heart transplantation to replace a diseased heart with a donated heart

How Is Open Heart Surgery Performed?

Open heart surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes an 8 to 10-inch cut on the chest and through the breastbone to expose the heart.

The patient is then connected to a heart-lung or cardiopulmonary bypass machine, which takes over the functioning of the heart and lungs. In certain procedures, this machine is not used.

Depending on the procedure, the surgeon uses a healthy vein or artery to bypass the blocked artery, repair or replace the diseased valve, or any other method depending on the condition. The patient is then weaned off the cardiopulmonary bypass machine to restore the natural function of the heart and lungs. The long incision is then sutured.

Life After Open Heart Surgery

The patient would require close monitoring for 2 to 3 days in the Intensive Care Unit before getting shifted to a regular ward. The patient may have to spend a week to ten days in the hospital. After discharge, keep up with the doctor’s appointments and take all prescribed medication. Practice a healthy lifestyle and eat food with less salt and fat.

Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery:

Minimally invasive heart surgery is an advanced procedure to treat various heart conditions. Compared to open heart surgery, this procedure brings a great sigh of relief to the patients as it is less painful and ensures faster recovery.

What Procedures Can Be Performed Through Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery?

• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation
• Atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closure
• Mitral valve repair or replacement
• Tricuspid valve repair or replacement
• Aortic valve replacement
• Atrioventricular septal defect surgery
• Saphenous vein harvest for CABG

However, your surgeon would decide if a minimally invasive procedure were the right option for you, depending on your age, condition, and medical history.

How Is Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery Performed?

Minimally invasive heart surgery is of three types:

• Direct less invasive heart surgery
• Robotic Assisted Heart Surgery
• Thoracoscopic Surgery

Direct Less Invasive Heart Surgery:

Just like in open heart surgery, all minimally invasive procedures would need the support of a heart-lung bypass machine. The surgeon makes small incisions between the ribs of the chest. A flexible catheter with a camera is inserted through one of the incisions that project the view from within on the monitor.

Aided by specially designed surgical tools, the surgeons complete the operation. The incisions are then sutured.

Robotic Assisted Heart Surgery:

In this procedure, 2 to 3 small incisions are made between the ribs of the chest. A flexible catheter with a camera on the end is inserted through one of the incisions that project the view from within. The surgeon sits at the remote console and views a magnified 3D view of the heart on a video monitor and directs the robotic arms at the operating table that move with agility like the human wrist to perform the procedure.

The incisions are closed after the procedure.

Thoracoscopic Surgery:

Also known as mini-thoracotomy, the surgeon inserts a long, thin tube called a thoracoscope with a tiny camera through a small incision in the chest. The procedure is then performed with the help of miniature surgical tools inserted into the body through other incisions. After the operation, the incisions are sutured.

Open Heart Surgery Vs. Minimally Invasive Surgery:

Both surgical procedures aim to restore the quality of life and better health in patients suffering from various cardiovascular diseases. Howe er, minimally invasive procedures offer significant benefits, including:

• Less blood loss
• Less loss of blood
• Faster recovery
• Shorter time in the hospital and quick resumption of regular activities
• Minimal scarring

Be it open heart surgery or minimally invasive procedure, the patients should never skip doctor’s appointments, strictly follow the medication schedule, quit drinking alcohol and tobacco, and lead a disciplined lifestyle for a healthy life.