Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive techniques enable our surgeons to operate with smaller incisions, which studies have shown leads to shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times and improved outcomes for eligible patients.

Many procedures once requiring the more severe breastbone separation can now be done through two- to three-inch incisions at the left and right sides of the chest. Cameras inserted into the chest cavity feed real-time images to an operating room television. This lets doctors see the heart while performing surgery with instruments custom-made for video-assist procedures.

St. John’s Mercy cardiothoracic surgeons have been performing minimally invasive procedures for many years and would be happy to discuss this option with you further.