Bangkok, Department of Medical Services by the Chest Disease Institute showing surgery to treat mitral valve disease using small incisions. with modern tools Patients get hurt less. Less blood loss recover faster It is considered a new option for treatment. So that patients can return to living a quality and safe life. Dr. Weerawut Imsamran, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, said that one of the methods for treating heart disease and blood vessels is surgery, but with today's technology that is continuously evolving. Minimally Invasive Mitral Valvular Surgery (Minimally Invasive Mitral Valvular Surgery) is one surgical method that allows patients to avoid having to cut the bone in the middle of their chest. Makes the size of the wound small From an open surgical wound, it was very normal. But this depends on the diagnosis of a cardiologist. which if the patient has other co-morbidities who had to undergo surgery for many diseases It may not be possible to have surgery with this method. The surgeon will consider the appropriate surgical treatment method. So that patients can return to living quality lives. Dr. Anek Kanoksin, Director of the Chest Disease Institute Added that Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (Minimally Invasive Mitral Valvular Surgery) is an endoscopic surgery for heart valve disease. This can be used for both heart valve repair and heart valve replacement. This minimally invasive surgery can be used on all 4 heart valves. The surgical incision will be as small as 4-5 centimeters under the right breast and there will be an incision of 0.5 - 1 centimeter in size to use a magnifying glass to assist in the surgery. (Thoracoscopic) to help visualize the surgery more clearly than usual. and small surgical instruments For preparation before surgery Prepare like normal surgery. The patient must undergo a heart examination with an ultrasound. (Echocardiography) to plan surgery and cardiac catheterization in patients at risk of coronary artery disease. Including a comp uterized tomography examination to look at the aorta. To see tartar in the aorta After surgery, initially the patient will be cared for in the intensive care unit for approximately 1-2 days and will be transferred to the general ward of the hospital for 3-5 days after surgery. Care after small-incision heart surgery When returning home, the patient should follow the doctor's orders. The doctor will make an appointment to follow up on treatment results in approximately 2 weeks. The advantage of small incision surgery is that it greatly reduces pain from surgery compared to normal open surgery. This is because it is a small incision surgery without cutting the bone in the middle of the chest. It is surgery into the 4th rib space and helps reduce the rate of blood transfusion during the surgery and after surgery. It also shortens the recovery time after surgery. Patients can return to various activities. normally faster As a result, patients who come for treatment are more satisfied with their surgical wounds. Because there was no visible surgical wound in the middle of the chest. Including surgery with small incisions that give results. Safety is the same as normal incision surgery. Source: Thai News Agency