Endoscopic port-access approach for excision of left atrial myxoma – Tutorial

Primary cardiac tumors are a relatively rare disease entity, with myxomas being the most frequently found benign cardiac tumor. After confirmation of this diagnosis, patients are referred for the surgical excision of the tumor. Intracardiac tumors used to be approached through a conventional sternotomy. However, with the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, the focus has shifted to a minimally invasive approach through an endoscopic port-access incision. 

Minimally invasive surgery has been associated with a quicker postoperative course in comparison with sternotomy. Furthermore, as minimally invasive surgery has a steep learning curve, the surgical removal of a myxoma could be an ideal start in the early stage of a minimally invasive training program.

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