What is the Ozaki Procedure as an Innovative Method?
The Ozaki procedure is a modern and innovative surgical method commonly used in the treatment of aortic valve diseases. Unlike traditional aortic valve surgery, it does not aim to completely replace or repair the valve. The Ozaki Procedure aims to reconstruct the aortic valve using the patient’s own tissue. This is the most obvious difference between the two methods.
Purpose and Functioning of the Ozaki Procedure
The Ozaki procedure was created to restore the proper functioning of the aortic valve. In this surgical procedure, a new aortic valve structure is created from the patient’s own tissue (pericardium). As the standard method in the world and in Turkey, the Ozaki method is performed during open heart surgery and the chest cage is opened to access the aortic valve. However, for the last 3 years, we have been the first in the world and in our country to make a small incision under the armpit and our cases of Ozaki surgery with a small incision under the armpit are increasing day by day.
Steps of the Procedure
The Ozaki procedure usually includes the following steps:
- Preparation: The patient is placed under general anesthesia and prepared for surgery in accordance with the tests performed beforehand.
- Access to the Aortic Valve: The aortic valve is accessed by opening the rib cage or through the right armpit between the ribs.
- Aortic Valve Preparation: A suitable piece of the patient’s own heart membrane (pericardium) is taken from the patient’s own heart membrane (pericardium) and passed through the preparation circuit to create the new valve structure and the pericardium is made suitable for the valve structure.
- Reconstruction or Repair: Aortic valve measurements are taken while the patient’s pericardium is being prepared. Then, the leaflets to be placed as the aortic valve are prepared according to the measurements taken and the leaflets are sewn one by one to their own regions. Valves obtained from the patient’s own tissue are inserted into the aortic valve to create a new valve structure.
- Functional Testing of the Valve: Testing the functioning of the newly created or repaired aortic valve is performed after the patient is weaned from the heart-lung machine. The newly implanted aortic valves are tested with an echocardiography probe inserted into the esophagus before surgery, and when it is seen that there is no problem, the patient’s surgery is terminated and the patient is taken to intensive care follow-up.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?
The Ozaki procedure has some advantages and disadvantages over traditional aortic valve surgery. In particular, creating a new valve structure using the patient’s own tissue increases the likelihood of the body accepting the new valve and reduces adaptation problems, which is an advantage for the treatment. While rhythm problems and patient-valve incompatibility can be observed in traditional aortic valve replacements, the Ozaki method does not cause such problems and functions like its own natural valve.
There is still a recommendation for metal valve replacement in young patients, but young women considering pregnancy and all individuals over 55 years of age may prefer the ozaki method to valve replacement. Again, ozaki valves are the most suitable valve for young individuals who want to continue their active sports life, because ozaki valves are the most suitable valves for providing the blood flow that the body needs during exertion and increasing the blood flow if necessary. Athletes who have undergone Ozaki surgery and continue their active professional sports life are examples of the reliability of this method. As a result, the preference of the patient who is well informed about the valves and their results is not ignored and Ozaki surgery can be performed at any age depending on the patient’s request. Since the patient’s own tissue is used in the procedure, infection rates are lower compared to metal or biological valve replacements. The treatment is longer lasting.
However, since the Ozaki Procedure is surgically more complex than traditional methods, it is important that it is performed by surgeons with Ozaki experience.
The Ozaki procedure is becoming increasingly common and popular in the treatment of aortic valve disease. While it may provide better outcomes for patients, it may also require an updated technical skill for surgeons. Further study, research and development of this procedure is expected to play an important role in aortic valve surgery in the future.
In conclusion, the Ozaki procedure is an alternative method for the treatment of aortic valve disease. However, it may not be suitable for every patient. Therefore, other treatment options should be considered depending on the patient’s characteristics. It is important to consult a Cardiovascular Surgeon experienced in this surgery to find out if the Ozaki procedure is suitable for you.
