
Closed Bypass Through the Ribs (Minimally Invasive, Small Incision Bypass)
Coronary artery bypass surgery is performed to restore blood flow to the heart when the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, become blocked or narrowed. Healthy arteries and veins taken from different parts of the body are used to bypass the blocked arteries. In this method, the sternum is not cut; instead, small incisions are made under the armpit or below the breast to access the area between the ribs for the bypass procedure. Closed bypass surgery can be performed with the heart stopped or with the heart still beating. The duration of the surgery depends on the number of arteries to be bypassed and ranges from 2 to 4 hours. Your cardiovascular surgeon will decide which method is suitable for you and inform you accordingly.
This method involves making 6-8 centimeter incisions under the armpit or below the breast. Any surgical intervention that can be done with open bypass can also be performed with the closed method.