Minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery.

With the recent advancement and experience in minimally invasive coronary artery bypass surgery in selected patients, minimally invasive valve surgery using similar techniques is promising. Coupled with the movement in cardiac surgery to decrease costs, hospital lengths of stay and recovery time, minimally invasive techniques for both mitral and aortic valve surgery are promptly being pursued. This article reviews various minimally invasive surgical techniques for mitral and aortic valve surgery. Mitral valve surgery by means of port-access technology is detailed. Techniques for minimally invasive aortic valve surgery via a ministernotomy and a parasternal incision are described.