AVR + Root Repair -- All with Minimal Incision

[rob1010]

Hello,

Help!

I am 51 yo male in good shape and no other health problems -- and fortunately asymptomatic. AV is leaking badly and my heart is dilating. I am facing AVR and Aortic root repair (now at 46mm). Cleveland Clinic is offering to do this (both fixes) through right thorocotomy. Another surgeon at well respected hospital told me this was risky to do it any other way but full median sternotomy. I know CCF is supposed to be the best, but I don't want to take any undue risk just to have a week or two of quicker recovery time. Lot's of studies out there about AVR through the minimal incision -- this seems to be safe with an experienced surgeon. But do the aortic root too? If anyone can provide some insight here I would appreciate it.

Surgery fast approaching early June.

Thanks!

 

[cldlhd]

I asked about possibly having my bav repair and root/ascending aneurysm graft done that way but I was told the same. Basically a well respected surgeon at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania told me full access would be more likely to give me a great result. I was 45 and otherwise healthy at the time of my surgery and was told that meant my recovery from a full sternotomy should be relatively smooth. I had it done 14 months ago and the recovery went well. I can see the temptation for the less invasive but unless they're pretty certain the end result will be as good I'd be hesitant.

 

[ottagal]

Welcome,
Sorry I don't have any answers to your questions, but wanted to wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery.

 

[RTZdad]

The Cleveland Clinic is THE BEST of the Best. My experience was phenomenal there. I went there for my surgery and I live in Denver. (Even drive back starting the day of my release from the hospital.) I would follow whatever they told you. I think that you are lucky to have that as an option. Sounds like a winner to me. Good luck with your surgery. I'm sure whichever route that you select will come out fine. Keep us posted.

Tom

 

[almost_hectic]

I was originally scheduled for a Minitororacotomy for AVR but after it was revealed that I also needed an aortic graft due to anyeurism, my surgeon chose instead to do a Ministernotomy. So my incision is at the top of my sternum but it's only 3.5 inches long. I honestly never asked why one approach was better than the other, chose to just trust him and was glad the alternative he chose was also considered minimally invasive. People are somewhat shocked at how small my scar is. My surgeon does almost ALL his procedures minimally invasive, that's a specialty of his.

 

[rob1010]

Thanks for responses so far. I appreciate the resounding endorsement of CCF -- that makes me feel better.

almost_h -- thanks for sharing that your doctor did the avr and aorta repair through minimal incision. That also makes me feel better that this should be easy at CCF.