The cardiothorasic and vascular surgeon of Max Hospital here, Dr Ravi Kumar Singh claimed to have successfully performed minimally invasive cardiac surgery on a patient. The patient Prem Singh who had a history of cardiac- related disorders was successfully treated by Dr Singh with the help of latest technique. Addressing the media persons here on Tuesday, Dr Singh said that about 32 million Indians suffer from heart diseases and over the past 3/4 years, the Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) or Keyhole surgery has grown in popularity. He said that this surgery has benefits like minimal access surgery, decreased pain, reduced surgical trauma and reduced hospital stay.

Dr further Singh said that the conventional bypass surgery or any valve surgery is performed by cutting the breastbone (sternum) while in the MICS, the heart is approached through the side of the chest (left or right) or front via a small 2/3 inch incision depending on the type of heart surgery.

“The chest is entered between the ribs without cutting any bones and by splitting the muscle. Similar to a regular heart surgery, the operations are equally good and safe. In MICS, the patient can soon get back to the normal routine and the blood loss is almost negligible in most cases,” he said.

The procedure is ideal in diabetics and elderly patients who have poor resistance to infection, he further said.

The vice- president, operations and unit head of Max Hospital, Dr Sandeep Singh Tanwar claimed that the hospital has become the first in the state to have this facility. He, however, disclosed that this type of surgery is 20 to 25 percent more expensive that the traditional bypass surgery.