Why is the valve procedure preferred to open-heart surgery?
Open-heart surgery carries difficulties for patients as it normally involves opening up the chest and several weeks of recovery. Replacement valves also wear down and the original problem comes back. Professor Bonhoeffer’s procedure is much less invasive and traumatic to patients than open-heart surgery, as the child’s chest does not have to be opened. Recovery is therefore a lot quicker. Each time the chest is re-opened surgery is more difficult, so it’s good to be able to avoid this. In addition, unlike open-heart surgery the valves do not need to be replaced as often, which can improve the patient’s quality of life.
