This study aimed to investigate feasibility and safety of minimally invasive video-assisted surgery for double-valve (mitral and aortic) replacement through right anterolateral minithoracotomy.

Between February 2011 and April 2013, 60 patients with combined valvular disease underwent double valve replacement, 26 of them by minimally invasive video-assisted surgery through right anterolateral minithoracotomy (study group) and 34 by median sternotomy (control group). Peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established through right femoral artery and vein. The incision was made around the right breast approximately 5cm in length. Pericardiotomy, bicaval occlusion, atriotomy and aortotomy, and double valve replacement were performed with thoracoscope.

In the study group, times of CPB and aortic cross-clamp were 146.5±40.5min and 91.5±23.4 min, respectively, which were significantly different from those in the control group, 115.4±26.5min and 75.4±16.5min (P<0.05). Thoracic drainage in the study group was significantly lower than the control group, 587±245ml (study group) versus 756±267ml (control group) (P<0.05). Length of ICU and postoperative hospital stay were shorter in the study group, 1.9±0.8 and 8.7±4.5 days versus 2.8±1.3 and 11.2±5.6 days in the control group (P<0.05), respectively. There was no statistical difference in the postoperative results of TTE (transthoracic echocardiography) (P>0.05). All patients recovered smoothly with follow-up of six months to two years, with no severe complications.

Minimally invasive video-assisted procedure through right anterolateral minithoracotomy is a new promising approach for double valve replacement. Our study suggested that this approach was feasible, safe and had cosmetic effects.