Wockhardt Hospitals sets yet another benchmark in Cardiac

Surgery: Performs Minimal Access Endoscopic Mitral Valve

Replacement

Bangalore, March 26, 2009: Wockhardt Hospitals Bangalore set yet another
benchmark in cardiovascular surgery with one of its consultants Dr. Ganeshakrishnan
Iyer, Consultant Cardio Vascular Surgeon performing a Mitral Valve Replacement
surgery through Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technique called the Minimal
Thoracotomy Approach. The most important benefits being reduced surgical trauma
and a shortened hospital stay.

Two patients were operated through this method with small incision in the right side
of the chest measuring 3-4 inches as against the conventional midline sternotomy
where the incision is in the front of the chest and measures about 12-14 cms. The
rarely used minimally thoracotomy incision can confer the advantages of a smaller
surgical wound, reduced blood loss, decreased risk of infection, shorter ICU stay,
early discharge, decreased postoperative pain and a smaller cosmetically more
acceptable postoperative scar.

T. Ashokan, 46 year old gentleman from Vellore was suffering from exertional
dyspnea (breathlessness on exertion) for the last 4-5 years. He is a known case of
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) and his echocardiography showed severe mitral
stenosis. After diagnosis he was advised for a Mitral Valve Replacement. Mr. Ashokan
was admitted at Wockhardt Hospitals and underwent Minimally Invasive Endoscopic
Mitral Valve Replacement. His post operative recovery was uneventful and
recuperation has been very speedy.

Mrs. Ana Fernandes a 52 year old lady from Goa was suffering from breathlessness
on exertion. She is a known case of rheumatic heart disease and her echo report
revealed severe mitral stenosis and mild mitral regurgitation and was advised for a
Mitral valve replacement surgery. She was admitted at Wockhardt Hospitals and
underwent Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Mitral Valve Replacement. Her post
operative recovery has also been uneventful and speedy recovery is seen.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Ganeshakrishnan Iyer, Consultant Cardio

Vascular Surgeon said, “The conventional heart surgery needs an incision of about
6 - 8 inches made down the sternum, through bone and muscle. With this advanced
right mini-thoracotomy method the surgery is performed with a 3-4 inch skin incision
created in a skin fold on the right chest. The minimally invasive endoscopic method
of cardiac surgery has emerged as a new and significantly successful approach to a
variety of cardiovascular surgical procedures. Minimally invasive valve surgery may
prove even more promising than new coronary procedures because detailed vascular
anastomoses are not required. The mitral valve was easily accessible in these two
patients through right minithoracotomy.”

Traditionally Mitral valve replacement is an open heart procedure performed by

cardiothoracic surgeons to treat stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) of
the mitral valve. The mitral valve is the "inflow valve" for the left side of the heart.
Blood flows from the lungs, where it picks up oxygen, and into the heart through the
mitral valve. When it opens, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the heart's
main pumping chamber called the left ventricle. It then closes to keep blood from
leaking back into the lungs when the ventricle contracts (squeezes) to push blood
out to the body. It has two flaps, or leaflets. Occasionally, the mitral valve is
abnormal from birth (congenital). More often the mitral valve becomes abnormal
with age (degenerative) or as a result of rheumatic fever. In rare instances the
mitral valve can be destroyed by infection or a bacterial endocarditis. Mitral
regurgitation may also occur as a result of ischemic heart disease (coronary artery
disease). Often the mitral valve is so damaged that it must be replaced. Through this
new and advanced minithoracotomy method the heart is approached between the
ribs, providing the surgeon access to the mitral valve. There is no sternal incision or
spreading of the ribs required for this surgical technique. The surgeon inserts special
surgical instruments through the incision to perform the valve repair.

For More Information Please Contact:

Priyam Bortamuli
Wockhardt Hospitals
Mobile – 9845558559
Email id: Priyam.bortamuli@wockhardthospitals.net