Eliminating the need for median sternotomy greatly reduces the trauma and pain associated with open-chest surgery and improves quality of life for patients. In the hospital, reduced post-operative discomfort enables patients to quickly begin a shorter recovery process. Most patients ambulate more easily and participate more actively in their personal care. Additionally, this approach lowers risk of complications such as bleeding, infection and eliminates the risk of sternal non-union.

Minimally invasive heart surgery improves cosmetic results. Rather than a prominent 10-inch scar down the middle of the chest, patients are left with smaller marks to the side of the ribs. For women, in many cases, this scar is completely unnoticeable as it sits below the breast.

Benefits Include:

• No splitting of the breastbone
• Reduction in pain
• Lower risk of infection
• Lower risk of bleeding
• Reduced ICU and hospital stay
• Improved postoperative pulmonary function
• Accelerated recovery/return to activity
• Improved quality of life
• Greatly improved cosmetic result