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Traditional heart surgery incision
A traditional median sternotomy requires an 8 inch skin incision. The breast bone is then cut open in the midline and the two breast bone halves are separated 3 to 4 inches apart. This causes strain on both the entire rib cage and joints. This is often responsible for shoulder and back pain for several months after an operation.
Minimal access aortic valve surgery incision
In a minimal access operation a 2 to 3-inch skin incision is made. Only a small portion of breast bone is then opened to a 1 inch width so that the integrity of the rib cage is much better preserved. Via this small opening in the chest, an experienced cardiac surgeon can replace an aortic valve.
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T.A.V.I
In selected high risk patients not suitable to other surgical options, an aortic prosthesis can be inserted without need for a CPB machine, through a small opening between the fourth and fifth rib.