Abstract: Objective To summarize the experience of intercostal mini-thoracotomy cardiac surgery. Methods From 2010.5 to 2011.8, 28 patients underwent right trans-intercostal mini-thoracotomy cardiac operation were collected retrospectively. The surgery included 13 cases of mitral valve replacement, 2 cases of mitral valve repairment, 2 cases of mitral valve replacement with tricuspid valve repairment, 1 case of mitral valve replacement and CABG, 3 cases of ASD repairment, 3 cases of ASD repairment with tricuspid valve repairment, 4 cases of left atrial myxoma resection, 2 cases of aortic valve replacement. Results All the patients were survived. Subcutaneous emphysema occurred in 2 patients. One patient got re-thoractomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 55.6±14.3 min, aortic cross clamping time was 31.4±12.5 min, duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation was 7.2±1.8 hours, and postoperative hospital stay was 8.2±2.4 days (range, 5 days-12 days). Conclusions Trans-intercostal mini-thoracotomy cardiac surgery could keep integrity of the sternum. Compared with the traditional midsternalthoractomy, the mini-thoracotomy cardiac surgery could offer quick recovery and excellent cosmetic effect to some patients.

Key words: Minimally invasive, Open heart surgery, Cardiac Surgery