Dr. Mark J. Russo, MD, MS - Heart Surgeon
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(732) 235-7231
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Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery:  Sternal Sparing

 

Traditional heart surgery requires the surgeon to "split the breast bone." 

Sternal sparing approaches use alternative incisions through which to perform surgery. These include a mini-thoractomy (though the rib spaces) and a hemi-sternotomy (a partial incision through the breast bone). 

Minimally invasive valve surgery is a breakthrough approach to treating heart valve disease. Rather than making a large incision through the breastbone (sternum) to gain access to the heart, this method uses sophisticated instruments to perform the surgery through a smaller incision at the side of the chest.

Minimally invasive surgery has many benefits, including the following:
  • Faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities
  • Less time spent in the hospital
  • Better cosmetic results. Small incisions that result in little to no scarring. Depending upon the procedure, incisions may be four to five dime-size slits or a 3- to 5-inch incision at the side of the chest.
  • Quicker resolution of pain, with many patients able to control pain after discharge with Tylenol or other over-the-counter pain medicines. Because the breastbone (sternum) remains intact, patients avoid the risk for infection and other complications associated with cutting it (sternotomy) that may occur with traditional open-chest procedures

Cardiac surgeons at the RWJUH, who are leaders in the field of minimally invasive valvular heart surgery, have performed more of these procedures than surgeons at any other hospital in the region. Minimally invasive valve surgery is a highly advanced technique that requires special expertise and equipment. Only select hospitals offer this approach
Appointement - 732-235-7231
​Patients:   We are committed to providing you with an appointment within 5 business days of your call. If you have questions in the meantime, please   Ask Our Experts.

 Physicians:   Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks, to assist in the care of your patients and to facilitate urgent, emergent and elective transfers at the local, regional, national and international levels​
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​Send your non-urgent questions regarding your aortic,  heart, and vascular conditions via email.

Mark J Russo, MD, MS
 Chief, Cardiac Surgery

Director, Structural Heart Disease
Associate Professor of Surgery
​
​Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Expert in Complex Aortic  Disease, Valve Surgery,
​Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repalcement (TAVR) , and Mitraclip
​125 Paterson St
​New Brunswick, NJ 08901
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(c) Mark Russo 2019