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Haga Hospital Performs groundbreaking Minimally Invasive Heart Surgery
April 23, 2025
The Hague, Netherlands - In a regional first, surgeons at the Hartcentrum of Haga Hospital successfully completed a Bentall procedure using a minimally invasive technique. The complex operation, performed on April 23, 2025, represents a important advancement in cardiac care, promising patients a faster and less traumatic recovery than conventional open-heart surgery.
The Bentall procedure addresses critical issues with the aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta, frequently enough necessitated by conditions like aortic aneurysms or valve degeneration. Traditionally, this surgery requires a full sternotomy – fully sawing through the breastbone. Though, the team at Haga Hospital, led by Dr. Ali Keyhan-Falsafi and Dr. Khalil Ayan, utilized a Right Anterior Thoracotomy (RAT) approach, accessing the heart through a small incision between the ribs. This innovative technique minimizes trauma, reduces pain, and accelerates healing.
The RAT approach offers several key benefits for patients, including a smaller scar, a decreased risk of wound infections, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker return to normal activities. This is a significant step forward in our ability to provide advanced cardiac care with a focus on patient well-being
