Over the past 20 years, a sternotomy (key hole) has been the most common surgical approach for patients presenting with deterioration of their heart valve over time. Typically, the deterioration is identified during an echocardiogram. Patients present with shortness of breath, tiredness and/or swelling of their legs.
An endoscopic, minimally invasive (small surgical incision as shown to the left of the picture above) approach can be appropriate for redo cardiac surgery and this avoids dividing the sternum for a second operation. Mr Zacharias and his team has one of the largest experience of redo endoscopic heart valve surgery in the UK and their outcomes have been presented at national and international meetings.
If you would like to be considered for this approach for redo surgery please contact us and we will be happy to advise you further.
