Left thoracotomy: An ideal approach for mitral valve replacement in patient with severe chest wall deformity

Abstract

We report a 65-year-old woman with chronic diastolic congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and severe mitral valve regurgitation. She was not a candidate for percutaneous mitral valve repair and was turned down for an open heart operation by 2 institutions based on her severe pectus excavatum deformity. A left posterior lateral thoracotomy approach provided excellent exposure for central cannulation and replacement of the mitral valve. © 2013 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.