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What is Aortic Surgery?

Aorta is the largest artery in the body that carries blood from the heart and extends down through the abdomen. The aortic valve is present between the aorta and the lower chamber of the heart on the left side. It opens up to allow blood flow out of the heart and then closes to prevent the backward flow of the blood into the heart

Aortic valve diseases are aortic valve regurgitation (aortic valve does not close properly resulting in backflow of blood into the heart) and aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve which results in restriction of blood flow). The aortic valve defect may be present at birth or it can be acquired at a later stage in life. Acquired aortic valve diseases occur because of structural changes in the valve which can be caused by rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, and aortic valve degeneration. Other causes include hypertension, tumors, radiation exposure, heart attack and connective tissue disorders.

The early symptoms of aortic valve diseases include fatigue, swelling of ankles, palpitation (irregular heartbeat), fainting, weakness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Aortic surgery is done to repair the enlarged aorta (aortic aneurysm), the aortic valve, the holes in aortic valves and to replace the aortic valves.

  • Aortic valve repair: It is done to treat the leaking valves. Bicuspid aortic valve is repaired by reshaping the leaflets of the aortic valve such that the valve opens and closes completely.
  • Aortic aneurysm: Aortic aneurysm is the enlarged portion of the ascending region of the aorta. If the aorta is enlarged by 4 or 5 cm in diameter, it is replaced at the time of aortic valve repair.
  • Repair of tears of valve or holes: The surgeon sews the tears or holes on the valve leaflets with tissue patches.
  • Aortic valve replacement: Your surgeon removes the damaged aortic valve and replaces it with either a mechanical (plastic or carbon or metal) valve, a biological valve (from animal tissues), or a human donated valve.

Procedure of Aortic Surgery

Minimal invasive surgery involves using endovascular techniques to place stent grafts within the aortic lumen to divert blood flow.

Several techniques that are used in minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery are laparoscopy, endoscopy, percutaneous surgery or robot-assisted surgery.

In endoscopic technique, the surgeon makes incisions in the chest and inserts a special instrument - endoscope through one of the incisions. This instrument has a camera attached to one end and the other end is connected to a large screen that helps to view the surgery better and creates space for the surgeon to work. In robot-assisted surgery, your surgeon makes an incision in the chest and uses a computer to control the surgery which produces 3D images on the computer.

In the minimally invasive surgery, your surgeon will make around 6-8 inch incisions on your sternum (breast bone) region in the chest. Through one of the incisions, a special instrument is inserted. Through the other incisions, surgical instruments are inserted and the diseased valve is removed, repaired or replaced with the new valve.

Risks and Complications of Aortic Surgery

Some of the risks associated with minimally invasive surgery are bleeding, blood clotting, breathing problems, and infection to the lungs, kidney, and chest or heart valves. Some other risks associated with surgery are damage to the nearby organs, nerves, or bones, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, and infection of the new valve.

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery has certain advantages over open surgery which are as follows :

  • Faster recovery because of smaller incisions
  • Minimal blood loss during the surgery
  • Length of the hospital stay is minimal (1 or 2 days)
  • Duration of the surgery is comparatively less than open surgery
  • Less pain, less scars, and less risk of wound infection