Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2017; 65(08): 606-611
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1546428
Original Cardiovascular
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Isolated Tricuspid Valve Surgery: A Single Institutional Experience with the Technique of Minimally Invasive Surgery via Right Minithoracotomy

Jan Philipp Minol
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Udo Boeken
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Tobias Weinreich
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Meret Heimann
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Hildegard Gramsch-Zabel
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Payam Akhyari
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Hiroyuki Kamiya
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
,
Artur Lichtenberg
1   Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

17 September 2014

22 December 2014

Publication Date:
05 March 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Background Minimally invasive cardiac surgery via right lateral minithoracotomy is a well-described approach. However, reports on isolated tricuspid valve surgery (TVS) in this technique are rare. Therefore, we like to give a contribution by reporting our experience.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed 25 tricuspid valve operations via right lateral minithoracotomy with femoral cannulation between August 2009 and September 2013 (18 repairs, 7 replacements, and 72% repair rate). Three patients (12%) presented for a re-do operation, and nine patients (36%) suffered from active endocarditis at admission. All patients underwent TVS as single valve procedure. Ten patients received additional procedures such as removal of infected leads, resection of atrial tumors, or closure of atrial septal defects. An annuloplasty ring was inserted in 12 cases. We investigated the short-term morbidity and mortality with regard to the surgical procedure.

Results Repair rate was 72%. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality were 4 and 20%, respectively. The only patient with early mortality received the surgical procedure on the tricuspid valve as fourth cardiac-related surgery and postoperative mortality was due to intracranial air embolism. Perioperative morbidity included reoperation for bleeding (8%) and stroke (4%). No disturbance of wound healing occurred. Durations of intensive care unit stay and hospital stay were 2.3 ± 2.4 and 17.4 ± 13.1 days, respectively. Endocarditis-caused surgery did not reveal any significant difference in the intra- or perioperative course compared with other indications.

Conclusion Minimally invasive TVS via right lateral minithoracotomy is feasible with good results. Even in a cohort of patients suffering from elevated rate of active endocarditis, a high repair rate can be achieved.