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Minimally invasive heart surgery

Alternative Names: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB); Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB); Beating heart surgery; RACAB (robot assisted coronary artery bypass); Keyhole heart surgery Convalescence: MIDCAB and OPCAB patients typically spend one day in the surgical intensive care unit and then move to a regular surgery unit, where they receive cardiac rehabilitation. The average hospital stay is 3 days for MIDCAB patients and 5-7 days for OPCAB patients. In contrast, a hospital stay of 6-10 days is typical for conventional CABG patients. Text Continues Below Patients who have had MIDCAB have lower chest wound infection rates than patients who have undergone CABG or OPCAB. A smaller incision means less exposure and handling of tissue, which reduces the chance of infection. MIDCAB patients recover more quickly than those who undergo CABG or OPCAB. Within 2 weeks, most MIDCAB patients can return to their normal activity level, compared with 2-3 months for patients who have had conventional surgery. OPCAB patients have a recovery that in most respects is similar to that for CABG patients. Most are able to return to full activity, including work, 2-3 months after operation.

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