Times of India
30 April 2011
Bangalore, India

Quicker Recovery, Thanks To Minimally Invasive Procedures
A bypass heart surgery or even a valve–replacement procedure is no longer as daunting as it used to be ten years ago. In most heart hospitals, minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) are becoming the order of the day. The trend has been in place in the US and Germany, and more and more patients are opting for these swifter procedures that heal faster and involve less breaking of rib bones.

Compared to an 18 to 20 cm incision for a usual bypass surgery, the mini–bypass makes only 5 to 8 cm incision. The chest bone cut in this case is less, reducing the recovery period. Blood transfusion rates in conventional bypass surgery are also much higher.

"This form of surgery is becoming popular mainly because its recovery time is much less and since the wound is small, the pain is also minimal. Almost all bypass surgeries are now done though minimal invasion. In fact, we are trying to see how it can be done by avoiding breaking of bones.

We can work from below, from near the stomach to avoid big wounds. That is, however, still at a nascent stage," said senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, Fortis Hospitals, Dr Mohammed Rehan Sayeed.

Endoscopic bypass has also been tried in some cases in India, but the success rate is not satisfactory.

Mini–valve surgeries are also becoming common and don’t require any breaking of bones. Dr Rehan, who has done around 250 mini–bypass surgeries and a lot of valve surgeries, said even if a patient is undergoing valve replacement or repair for a second time, it could be done with just a small incision.

"Congenital heart diseases like holes in the heart can be rectified and the reason we are seeing patients opt for MIS is because they want to get back to work as soon as possible with fewer chances of infection. Since the area available for work is rather small, the surgeon has to have good experience in maneuvering through the small incision without any fears of mistakes," he added.

Apollo Hospitals has done about 500 cases of minimally invasive heart surgeries so far. "Awareness has increased a lot now. Minimally invasive methods have been there since 1997, but what is new is that people are more aware and a lot more procedures can be done through this approach now," said cardiac surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Dr Sathyaki Nambala.