Until recently the only way to either repair or replace an aortic valve was to open the chest of the patient and put them on a heart-lung oxygenator. Surgical repair involved delicate reconstruction of native valve tissues in order to restore proper function. The most common approach to repair requires the surgeon to saw open the breastbone and spread the ribs to gain direct access to the heart.
Cutting the sternum and opening the rib cage — the body's natural protective structure for the heart — can prolong healing time, increase risk of infection, serious complications and even mortality. At Houston Cardiac Surgery Associates, Doctors Gomez and Gibson use every effort to utilize less invasive techniques. A full sternotomy involves cutting the entire sternum and spreading the rib cage to gain maximal exposure of the chest and heart area and connection to a heart - lung machine. This procedure is provides the most convenience to the surgeon, but can be more traumatic to the patient. If the patient qualifies, it may be possible to perform a partial sternotomy. A partial sternotomy is a much smaller incision and only a partial cutting of the sternum. The heart-lung machine is hooked up to the patient via catheters through the groin or underarm areas.