Minimally invasive heart valve surgeries are surgeries that use smaller incisions than the ones typically used to operate on the heart valves. During a minimally invasive heart valve surgery, the breastbone is not completely divided and retracted. Rather, surgeons use a variety of smaller incisions to gain access to the heart.

There are a number of advantages to minimally invasive heart surgery. Chief among them are limited blood loss during surgery, fewer side effects associated with large incisions, a reduced stay in the hospital and superior cosmetic results as patients are spared the large incisions and scars typically associated with open-heart surgery.

However, these surgeries may take longer and often require a surgeon with a higher level of surgical skill. Not all people are good candidates for this type of surgery. For example, people may not be eligible if they have atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) or obesity.

Like all patients scheduled for surgery, people scheduled for a minimally invasive heart valve surgery must avoid eating and drinking anything for at least eight hours before the procedure. Smokers must avoid smoking for at least two weeks beforehand. After surgery, patients can expect to remain in the hospital for four to five days, and full recovery may take several weeks.