If your child needs heart surgery, you want their recovery to be as quick and easy as possible. At Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento, cardiac specialists offer the latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Minimally invasive surgery typically allows for better cosmetic outcomes, less pain, fewer postoperative complications and shorter hospital stays than traditional open surgery. Smaller incisions made between the ribs of the chest allow doctors to avoid a full sternotomy, which involves cutting through the breastbone to reach the heart.
Minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery techniques have historically been reserved for adult patients due to the complexities associated with operating on smaller pediatric patients. However, children can benefit from this type of surgery, and our Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Care Team is committed to utilizing minimally invasive techniques, such as:
- Anterior Lateral Thoracotomy — A surgical technique that approaches the heart from an incision made under the breast.
- Minimal Sternal Division — To access the heart, a small midline incision is made over the lowest part of the sternum.
- Mini-Thoracotomy — A small incision is made on the side of the body, between the ribs, to access the heart without cutting any bone.
Talk your child’s cardiologist or surgeon to determine the best surgical option for your family.