Media Release

Mangaluru, Apr 17: In a major milestone for cardiac care in the coastal region, the cardiac surgery team at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital (YMCH) has successfully performed a Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) Mitral Valve Repair. This marks the first time such an advanced ‘keyhole’ procedure has been conducted in Mangaluru and the wider Dakshina Kannada district.

The elderly patient, who had been suffering from severe breathlessness and fatigue due to mitral valve dysfunction (Mitral Valve Prolapse with rupture chordae leading to severe Mitral Regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension) required urgent surgical intervention. Considering the high risks associated with conventional open-heart surgery in advanced age, the surgical team opted for a Keyhole (minimally invasive) technique, significantly reducing surgical trauma.

The complex procedure was led by renowned cardiac surgeon Dr K Sakthivel, associate surgeon Dr Arjun, along with a dedicated team of cardiac anaesthetists (Dr Krishna Prasad, Dr Mohandas, Dr Vinayak), Perfusionist team led by Ansu sunny, OT and critical care nurses. The surgery was performed through a small incision without the need for full sternotomy, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care. Experts highlighted that minimally invasive mitral valve repair offers multiple benefits.

The surgery was completed successfully, and the patient is currently recovering well with stable cardiac function.

Medical superintendent Dr Habib Rahman highlighted that the patient’s recovery was remarkably swift. While traditional surgery often requires weeks of healing for the bone to knit back together, this patient was able to walk by the first post operative day and was discharged within just five days.