The minithoracotomy approach: a safe and effective alternative for heart valve surgery.

Despite criticisms over the last decade, heart valve surgery through right anterior minithoracotomy (MT) proved excellent short-term and long-term-term results, becoming a feasible and popular alternative to the sternotomy approach. The rapid development and refinements of techniques have led to MT valve surgery being considered safe, effective, and durable. Minithoracotomy has been demonstrated to be a valid cost-effective and cost-saving strategy for valve surgery, being associated with reduced morbidity and mortality. Tangible benefits include less pain, faster postoperative recovery, and better cosmetic results. As a result, MT has been increasingly used as a routine approach in many centers for both aortic and mitral valve surgery.