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To reach the heart in traditional bypass surgery, a sternotomy incision, approximately 6"–8" in length, is made midline on the chest and through the breastbone. It can be performed “off-pump” or, if necessary, the heart can be stopped and a heart-lung machine is used to help maintain the circulation of blood and oxygen content of the body.
Upon completing the surgery, the breastbone is wired together and then the sternotomy incision closed. It is a highly invasive process with a long recovery phase. Postsurgery complications are not uncommon. In comparison to MICS CABG, the traditional method has much greater impact on the body.
MICS CABG — pronounced mix cabbage — is short for minimally invasive cardiac surgery/coronary artery bypass grafting.
- Less pain (no broken bones)
- Lower risk of wound infection
- Fewer restrictions, including no driving restrictions
- Faster recovery, many patients are discharged from the hospital within two to three days and can return to work within two weeks
- Improved cosmetic outcome
MICS CABG can be performed on most patients who need bypass surgery. The following criteria are just a few reasons why it may be right for you:
- Advanced age
- Long-term steroid use
- Severe COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Severe deconditioning
- Need for other major operative procedure
- Patients with severe arthritic or orthopedic problems
No. Since developing the technique in 2005, Dr. McGinn has performed hundreds of MICS CABG procedures with an exceptional success rate.
MICS CABG is a relatively new, advanced technique that most physicians have not been trained to perform. Although we do offer ongoing, peer-to-peer training sessions led by Dr. McGinn, only a handful of physicians perform the procedure worldwide.
The first MICS CABG was performed on January 21, 2005, at The Heart Institute by a highly trained team led by Dr. Joseph McGinn. This technique, where proximal grafts were anastomosed to the mammary artery, was performed for two years with a favorable outcome. After taking this procedure to Japan and listening to feedback from his peers, Dr. McGinn felt the procedure could be improved. Today, surgeons can have direct visibility of the aorta through the window incision allowing for proximal anastomosis to be performed on the aorta.
In most cases the answer is yes, but the patient needs to be evaluated on an individual basis.