Optimizing the exposure in minimally invasive mitral surgery: a new left atrial retractor system

Ernesto Greco; David Rose; Francesco Irace; Giacomo Frati

doi:10.21037/jtd.2016.12.61

Optimizing the exposure in minimally invasive mitral surgery: a new left atrial retractor system

J Thorac Dis. 2016 Dec;8(12):3728-3732. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2016.12.61.

Authors

Ernesto Greco¹, David Rose², Francesco Irace¹, Giacomo Frati³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anesthesiological, and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
² Department of Cardiac Surgery, St Thomas Hospital London, London, UK.
³ Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy;; Department of Angiocardioneurology, IRCCS Neuromed Pozzilli, Pozzilli, Italy.

Abstract

Optimal exposure of the mitral valve is paramount in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and a prerequisite for successful mitral valve repair or replacement. We report the concept of a new left atrial retractor (Karl Storz GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) dedicated to MIS. The effectiveness of the device was evaluated in a prospective series of 40 patients successfully operated at our institution.

Keywords: Minimally invasive; atrial retraction; mitral surgery; mitral valve repair; mitral valve replacement.