Surgeons of Narayana Hospital replace 2 damaged heart valves in minimally invasive surgery
   Date :12-Sep-2019

Doctors of NHMMI Narayana Superspeciality Hospital with Vineet Kumar Saini (Extreame right). 
 
Staff Reporter :
 
RAIPUR
 
Cardiac Surgeons at NHMMI Narayana Superspeciality Hospital successfully replaced two damaged heart valves in a single minimally invasive surgery. While addressing media persons Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon of NHMMI Narayana Dr Nitin Kumar Rajput informed that the valves in our heart are designed in such a way that they allow the blood to flow only in one direction. But in case of valvular heart disease, these valves get damaged and either start leaking or cause an obstruction to forward flow of the blood which may lead to heart failure. With increased reach and access to medical services, quite a large number of such cases are being diagnosed each year.
 
The only management available for Valvular heart disease is surgery through which, the damaged valve is replaced by a prosthetic valve. In patients with more than one damaged valve, surgery is done with traditional full Sternotomy approach i.e. the breastbone is completely cut into half to access the heart and replace the valves.
 
“This kind of surgery is usually feared by patients who are in their twenties and thirties, primarily due to a large, visible post-operative scar below the neck. It can be an emotionally traumatising experience for the patients in addition to the physical post-operative pain” told Dr Rajput. Recently doctors diagnosed four young patients with Valvular heart disease who had the same fear of large scar. Hence, doctors opted to perform the double valve replacement surgery through minimally invasive approach.” he said. Dr Rajput explained that there are two ways of performing this surgery in a minimally invasive manner. One approach is by splitting of the lower half of the breastbone whereas the other approach is a totally non-sternotomy approach, i.e. right anterior thoracotomy wherein the breastbone is not at all touched.
 
These approaches involve the use of special types of equipment to minimise the size of the incision required to approach the heart. Only the lower part of breastbone is split to get the equipment to the heart leaving the upper part intact. With this method, the scar lies way low down and is not visible, thereby increasing the morale of the patient and encouraging them to get the lifesaving treatment without the fear of a big scar.
 
Apart from this there are several other benefits of minimal access heart surgery other than cosmetic component like faster post-operative recovery, shorter ICU stay, minimal blood transfusions, early discharge from hospital, less chances of infection etc. Facility Director of NHMMI Narayana Superspeciality Hospital Vineet Kumar Saini informed that during last two years, the centre has performed over 200 bypass surgeries and single valve replacement with minimal access method but this is probably the first time in Chhattisgarh that this method is used for double valve replacement. Minimally invasive heart surgeries require specially designed equipment and well-trained surgeon with sufficient experience in the field. We are proud to have such a team at NHMMI Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, he added.