MICS stands for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery. It’s a surgical approach that uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to perform cardiac procedures, reducing tissue damage and promoting faster recovery.

Benefits of MICS:

1.⁠ ⁠Smaller scars (2-4 inches)
2.⁠ ⁠Less blood loss and transfusions
3.⁠ ⁠Reduced risk of infection
4.⁠ ⁠Faster recovery (less pain, shorter hospital stay)
5.⁠ ⁠Quicker return to normal activities
6.⁠ ⁠Improved cosmetic results

Common MICS procedures:

1.⁠ ⁠Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
2.⁠ ⁠Mitral valve repair/replacement
3.⁠ ⁠Aortic valve repair/replacement
4.⁠ ⁠Heart defect repairs (e.g., ASD, VSD)
5.⁠ ⁠Heart transplant

MICS techniques:

1.⁠ ⁠Port-access surgery
2.⁠ ⁠Endoscopic surgery
3.⁠ ⁠Robotic-assisted surgery
4.⁠ ⁠Direct vision internal mammary artery (DVIMA) harvesting

Comparison with traditional open-heart surgery:

1.⁠ ⁠Smaller incisions
2.⁠ ⁠Less tissue damage
3.⁠ ⁠Faster recovery
4.⁠ ⁠Reduced risk of complications

However, MICS may not be suitable for all patients, and the decision to use this approach depends on individual circumstances.