The mitral valve regulates oxygenated blood flow between the heart's left atrium and left ventricle. In modern cardiac surgery, endoscopic mitral valve repair is performed through a small aesthetic incision under the right breast using 3D high-resolution camera guidance without cutting the breastbone, primarily focusing on preserving the patient's own native valve.

Mitral Valve Pathologies and the Endoscopic Approach

Early surgical intervention in mitral valve regurgitation (leakage) or stenosis prevents irreversible left ventricular enlargement and heart failure. Delaying surgery carries severe risks of chronic atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, and thromboembolism.

Preoperative 3D Transesophageal Echocardiography (3D-TEE) precisely maps leaflet prolapse across P1, P2, P3 or anterior scallops A1, A2, A3, allowing customized surgical repair planning without open sternotomy.

Surgical Technique: Native Valve Repair (Valvuloplasty) & Annuloplasty

Dr. Taha Özkara prioritizes repairing the patient's native valve over prosthetic replacement whenever possible. Using artificial Gore-Tex neochordae (loops) and triangular/quadrangular resection, normal leaflet coaptation is restored.

To guarantee lifelong durability, a titanium annuloplasty ring is implanted around the mitral annulus. In severe extensive calcification where repair is unfeasible, biological or mechanical valve replacement is carried out with equal endoscopic safety.

Endoscopic Mitral Valve Surgery - Surgical Detail

Clinical Advantages of Native Valve Preservation and Closed Surgery

Repairing rather than replacing the valve preserves left ventricular geometry and contractile function, offering superior survival rates and clinical freedom:

No sternotomy: full thoracic bone stability and respiratory function are preserved.
Hidden small aesthetic incision under the right breast crease; scar is virtually unnoticeable.
High-definition 3D endoscopic optics provide millimeter-level surgical precision.

Preserving the native valve eliminates the requirement for lifelong blood-thinner (warfarin) therapy.
Significantly lower risks of surgical bleeding and wound infection compared to classical open surgery.
Discharge in 3-4 days and rapid return to driving, active professional life, and sports in 10-14 days.

Recovery Period, Return to Daily Life, and Patient Assessment

Patients spend only 24 hours in the intensive care unit and are mobilized on postoperative day one. Because the chest bone is intact, sleeping on the back is not mandatory, and patients can sleep on their side comfortably.

All patients with mitral valve insufficiency or stenosis can be evaluated for endoscopic surgery. Contact our surgical team with your echocardiography report for a specialized second opinion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert answers to the most common questions regarding minimally invasive heart surgery, recovery timelines, and surgical procedures.

In traditional open-heart surgery, the breastbone (sternum) is completely divided. In minimally invasive cardiac surgery, the heart is accessed between the ribs through small incisions under the breast or armpit using high-resolution 3D endoscopic cameras. Preserving the thoracic bone structure minimizes surgical trauma, bleeding, and postoperative pain.

It is the endovascular delivery of a specialized stent-graft into the thoracic or abdominal aortic aneurysm through a needle puncture or small incision in the groin, avoiding opening the chest or abdomen and allowing discharge in 24 to 48 hours.

Without connecting the patient to a heart-lung machine and without stopping the heart, bypass is performed through a small incision under the left breast using the internal mammary artery (LIMA). Complications associated with cardiopulmonary bypass are prevented, drastically reducing stroke, kidney dysfunction, and bleeding risks.

In patients with diabetes, severe lung disease, or osteoporosis, dividing the sternum carries a high risk of bone non-union and deep wound infections. Because the breastbone is completely untouched in minimally invasive surgery, bone infection risk is eliminated.

Our surgical priority is always to repair and preserve the patient's own native heart valve. With advanced endoscopic valvuloplasty and annuloplasty rings, the patient's natural valve is restored. If the valve structure is irreversibly damaged, biological or mechanical valve replacement is carried out.

With our vast experience in over 500 cases, carotid stenosis is operated under ultrasound-guided regional cervical block while the patient is fully awake. This allows continuous real-time neurological assessment without general anesthesia risks.

Aortic valve operations are performed through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy (a small cut incision between the 2nd and 3rd ribs) or mini-sternotomy without cutting the complete breastbone. The rib cage remains entirely stable and functional.

Yes. Arterial narrowing in the legs is treated through a groin puncture under local anesthesia using balloon angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting, restoring arterial flow without surgical incisions.

Yes. Tricuspid valve regurgitation and leakage are treated via a small small incision under the right breast with 3D camera guidance, ensuring minimal trauma and rapid hemodynamic stabilization.

Absolutely yes. Atrial septal defects (ASD) are closed endoscopically through a small incision cosmetic small incision under the right breast using autologous pericardium, leaving no visible front chest scars.

TREATMENT TIMELINE

Your 4-Step Surgical Journey

Tetkiklerinizin incelenmesinden ameliyat sonrası aktif yaşama dönüşünüze kadar geçen 4 aşamalı konforlu ve güvenli cerrahi yolculuğunuz.

Preliminary Review

Comprehensive analysis of your Echo, Angiography, and CT scans.

Tailored Plan

Individual surgical strategy without sternotomy.

Endoscopic Surgery

High-precision closed operation with 3D camera guidance.

Swift Recovery

Discharge in 3-4 days and fast return to normal life.

OUR TREATMENT AREAS

Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Heart Surgery

Innovative cardiovascular surgical procedures performed through small incisions with high-definition endoscopic camera guidance without cutting the breastbone.

EXPERT OPINION & APPOINTMENT

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Endoscopic Mitral Valve Surgery

Mitral Valve Pathologies and the Endoscopic Approach

Surgical Technique: Native Valve Repair (Valvuloplasty) & Annuloplasty

Clinical Advantages of Native Valve Preservation and Closed Surgery