Endoscopic Mitral and Tricuspid  valve surgery:

At the O.L.V. Clinic in Aalst , Belgium, more than 1500 endoscopic valve procedures have been performed since 1997. We are the real pioneers and world leaders in those endoscopic procedures which we have been teaching to surgeons all over the world. Our results have been published in the best medical journals.

Through a very small opening (5 centimeters) in the right chest the heart is visualized with an endoscopic camera. The surgeon performs the minimally invasive endoscopic heart valve surgery with specifically designed  long shafted instruments.
This "no rib touching technique" ensures an optimal postoperative pain level, a fast track to complete recovery and for sure a very satisfying esthetical result, leaving only a small scar below the right breast.