European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery : official journal of the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg · Oct 1998
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement via hemi-sternotomy: a preliminary report.
Aortic valve replacement has been approached by standard sternotomy. We described a technique of aortic valve replacement where the aortic valve is exposed through a hemi-sternotomy. Good exposure is obtained for aortic valve surgery with standard aortic and right atrial cannulation to establish cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). ⋯ Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement can be safely performed via hemi-sternotomy with standard equipment. Less surgical trauma to the sternum has the potential benefit of less pain and shorter intensive care and hospital stay.