New techniques could help reduce or avoid invasive surgery for heart disease patients, the president of the Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons said yesterday.
Society president Professor Julian Smith was one of 320 delegates in Queenstown for its annual meeting, the first time the group has met in New Zealand.
Surgeons, trainee surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists gathered to hear presentations on topics ranging from new surgery technology to non-invasive surgery.
Prof Smith said one of the most valuable discussions involved valve repair and replacement techniques.
Minimally invasive heart surgery techniques have been introduced to counter the complications of, for example, bypass surgery.
New technology means patients can undergo valve replacement or repair without major surgery, a heart-and-lung bypass machine or any stopping of the heart.
Cardiologists want to reduce the complications associated with heart surgery.
Prof Smith said one technique involved inserting a replacement heart valve through the groin via a catheter.
Inserting replacement heart valves without using stitches and mitral valve repair were also discussed, he said. The mitral valve is attached to the base of the heart and can weaken with age.
Replacing a valve means a patient often needs more surgery and medication for life but the new technique, which involves delicate removal of damaged tissue, is often preferable.
Prof Smith said another new technique was minimally invasive lung surgery, in which the surgeon removed damaged portions of a lung via tiny "keyhole" incisions.
The society would consider holding an annual meeting again in Queenstown within the next five years, he said.
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