Surgical treatment for the valvular disease through partial sternotomy

213 patients who underwent surgical treatment for the valvular disease through partial sternotomy were studied. We started the minimally invasive valvular surgery in July 1997. All the valvular diseases were indicated for the minimally invasive surgery except for the annulo-aortic ectasia and the concomitant disease with coronary artery bypass surgery. Ascending aorta was selected as an arterial cannulation place if we could choice it through intraoperative echocardiography. Venous cannulae 22-24 Fr were inserted into the venae cavae directly or through right atrium. Negative pressure venous drainage (maximally 90 mmHg) was performed if necessarily. We did single approach as possible. Mortality rate was 3.8%. We could complete 96.2% of our series as a minimally invasive surgery. Post operative intensive care unit (ICU) stay and hospital stay through partial sternotomy were significantly shorter than those through full sternotomy.