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What is Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS): Advanced Heart Care Solutions

By Dr. Aditya Kumar Singh in Cardiac Sciences , Cardiac Surgery (CTVS)

Oct 10 , 2024 | 2 min read

Cardiovascular disease accounts for around 28% of deaths in India, and cardiac bypass operation provides the best outcome and survival benefits for such CAD patients, especially in people with diabetes.

Cardiac surgery has witnessed ground-breaking innovations, among which Minimal Invasive Bypass Surgery (MICS) turned out to be a game-changer, offering new hope for patients with advanced Coronary Artery disease (CAD).

Traditional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been effectively used for a long time, as CAD continues to be the leading cause of mortality globally. Conventionally, CABG involves a large chest incision, leading to substantial post-operative pain, extended hospital stays, and prolonged recovery periods. Minimally invasive techniques were devised as an improvement to traditional CABG procedures.

A minimally invasive approach to bypass surgery provides a substantial alternative to conventional CABG. MICS gained popularity due to several benefits, including smaller, more cosmetically appealing incisions, lowered post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.

My endeavours as a cardiac surgeon allowed me to witness the revolution that MICS brings to the patients’ lives. We have gone above and beyond in surgical innovations to make MICS accessible to the last possible patient.

Advantages of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS)

MICS has gained its ground because of the following advantages:

No cutting of bone: There will be no cutting of chest bone, so there will be no bony pain as a result, there will be no deep bone infection or non-healing of bone present.
Smaller Incisions: MICS carries its major advantage in small incisions, usually 2-3 inches long, compared to the larger chest incision required for traditional CABG. These smaller incisions minimise the risk of infection and result in less noticeable scarring.
Reduced Pain: Small incisions significantly reduce pain. This reduces the need for strong painkillers, raising overall comfort for patients.
Quicker Recovery: Small incisions for MICS make a recovery substantially shorter than traditional CABG. Many patients can return to their normal activities within weeks compared to months in traditional CABG.
Shorter Hospital Stays: Small incisions, reduced pain, and a quick recovery necessitate a shorter hospital stay and reduced healthcare costs.

It must always be maintained that MICS is not suitable for all patients. I cannot stress enough the value of a comprehensive evaluation to ascertain an appropriate treatment approach for each patient. Traditional CABG could still be required for some individuals with complex coronary artery disease.

It’s undeniable that minimal invasive bypass is redefining the landscape of cardiac health care. Offering hope and healing, MICS minimises the discomfort and inconvenience that comes with traditional open-heart surgery. Advancements are made in MICS on a continuous basis, and we can hope for further improved outcomes. Cardiac surgery is taking up new paths, and MICS is the best discovery so far!