Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery through a right mini-thoracotomy

Since its introduction in the mid-1990s, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has been shown to be a feasible alternative to a conventional full-sternotomy approach, and several studies have reported excellent clinical outcomes with low perioperative morbidity and mortality. As a result, MIMVS is being increasingly employed as a routine procedure worldwide. On the other hand, several issues have been raised, including complications specific to this technique and its steep learning curve, while there are also concerns regarding the durability of a mitral valve repair through a limited access. In this study, the current status and future perspectives of MIMVS were examined.