MICS Speeds Heart Recovery, Reduces Complication Risk

By Bernama Lifestyle Reporter

PETALING JAYA, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Thanks to minimally invasive heart surgery, Hadibroto Sutanto Tang could recover quickly, returning to his daily routine with greater comfort and ease.

Just under a week after undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) at a private medical centre here, the 70-year-old from Jakarta, Indonesia, was discharged home.

He was surprised at the quick, comfortable recovery, far from his expectation of a long rest after heart surgery.

“During my recovery, I only felt minor soreness and no serious pain. If you have a blocked artery, it’s best to seek early treatment. Don’t wait until it becomes serious,” he said.

pic-2

Developed in the late 1990s, MICS uses small incisions between the ribs and specialised tools to reduce pain, bleeding, and complications, said consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Prof Dr Shahrul Amry Hashim.

At a press conference marking 200 MICS surgeries at Damansara Specialist Hospital 2, he said the technique allows patients start physiotherapy just one to two days after surgery.

He explained that before the advent of this technique, heart surgery was done via open chest procedures, cutting through the breastbone (sternum) to access the heart, which is far more traumatic and requires a much longer recovery.

“When the breastbone is cut, it’s like breaking a bone. Full recovery takes two to three months, during which patients can’t lift heavy objects, drive, or do strenuous activities.

pic-3

“With conventional surgery, the incision can be around 30 centimetres, but with MICS it’s just four to six centimetres and doesn’t involve cutting the bone. Recovery is much faster too, usually two to three weeks, compared with two to three months for the traditional method,” he said.

However, he said MICS is a complex technique and relies on both the surgeon’s experience and the centre’s expertise.

Having performed over 500 MICS procedures, he noted that expertise in Malaysia is limited, with only a few specialists actively practising it.

“Most patients are suitable for this method, but it depends on clinical assessment. In practice, only a few surgeons, maybe two or three, perform MICS regularly.

pic-4

“That’s why I actively train local and international specialists through workshops and surgical training programmes, to increase the number of surgeons skilled in this technique,” he said, adding that sharing expertise is key to giving more patients access to less invasive treatment.

However, Dr Shahrul Amry, who has around 25 years of experience in heart surgery, emphasised that surgery alone is not enough without adopting lifestyle changes.

He said many patients have risk factors such as smoking, inactivity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes; if unmanaged, arteries can re-block even after bypass surgery.

“It’s important to eat well, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, and get checked early, especially if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue,” he said, advising anyone with a family history of heart disease to have regular screenings for early detection.

-- BERNAMA