Minimally Invasive Isolated Tricuspid Valve Redo Surgery Has Better Clinical Outcome: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Background: Reoperation for isolated tricuspid valve (TV) surgery is considered a high-risk procedure. The optimal surgical approach is controversial. We analyzed our experience with isolated TV redo surgery performed either through thoracoscopic approach (thoracoscopic group), right thoracotomy (thoracotomy group), or median sternotomy (sternotomy group). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients with previous cardiac surgery who underwent redo-TV procedure through thoracoscopic approach (n = 33), right lateral thoracotomy approach (n = 14), or sternotomy (n = 72). Results: All patients successfully underwent elective surgery, with no intraoperative conversion or death occurring. 69% and 31% of patients received valve replacement and valvuloplasty, respectively. After operation, one patient in the sternotomy group received reoperation for bleeding, while another patient received valve replacement surgery 2 weeks after operation due to heart failure caused by valvuloplasty failure. No obvious complications occurred in the minimally invasive groups. The overall success rate of valve repair during 1-year follow-up was 99.2%. Conclusion: Minimally invasive, isolated TV surgery as reoperation can be safe and may improve clinical outcome.