Yang aortic root enlargement through ministernotomy in an obese patient

Abstract

Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (AVR) benefits avoiding sternal wound complications, prolonged hospitalization and reduced postoperative pain has been widely reported. The benefits of a small sternal incision in obese patients decreases the potential risk of sternal dehiscence otherwise present on a conventional sternotomy. Here we report the case of a 76-year-old woman with moderate obesity who was referred to our institution with severe degenerative aortic stenosis. She underwent aortic valve replacement with a novel technique for annulus enlargement through upper ministernotomy.