Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
Alternate Names : Beating Heart Surgery, Keyhole Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass (MIDCAB), Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass (OPCAB), RACAB (Robot Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass)
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Convalescence & Recovery
MIDCAB and OPCAB patients typically spend one day in the surgical intensive care unit and then move to a regular surgery unit, where they receive cardiac rehabilitation. The average hospital stay is 3 days for MIDCAB patients and 5-7 days for OPCAB patients. In contrast, a hospital stay of 6-10 days is typical for conventional CABG patients.
Patients who have had MIDCAB have lower chest wound infection rates than patients who have undergone CABG or OPCAB. A smaller incision means less exposure and handling of tissue, which reduces the chance of infection.
MIDCAB patients recover more quickly than those who undergo CABG or OPCAB. Within two weeks, most MIDCAB patients can return to their normal activity level, compared with a 2-3 months for patients who have had conventional surgery.
OPCAB patients have a recovery that in most respects is similar to that for CABG patients. Most are able to return to full activity, including work, 2-3 months after operation.
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