Port Access (Thru-Port System) video-assisted mitral valve surgery

The aim of this review is to focus the attention on the "state of the art" of port-access and video-assisted mitral valve surgery appraising the results compared to the traditional approach, describing different technical strategies and analyzing how to avoid and manage its related complications concomitantly elucidating which procedure is associated with the most favorable risk-benefit and cost-benefit profile. Our default strategy is to use the minimally invasive approach combining video-assisted right mini-thoracotomy with endo-cardiopulmonary bypass and endo-aortic balloon occlusion (EBO) whenever possible. This choice is supported by the evidence that, after an initial learning curve, it is a safe and effective approach in terms of short- and long-term results, mainly for redo operations and even for elderly patients with moderately elevated peri-operative risk.