When the doctor says, 'I need to do open heart surgery,' everyone gets a little scared, right? It's very normal to feel scared when someone says that you need to open your chest. But what is this really? Why do you need to do this surgery? Don't be afraid, we'll talk about this in a way that you can understand, very simply.
What is open-heart surgery?
Simply put, open-heart surgery is a type of surgery in which your chest is opened to allow the surgeon to easily access your heart. This allows doctors to directly access your heart and treat your heart condition.
Think about it, the heart is an organ that is safely tucked away in our chest. So to get to it, surgeons cut through the middle of your chest, called the sternum or breastbone , and split your chest to make room for the heart. Some people call this a "chest flap." If your health is good enough to withstand this type of surgery, your doctor may recommend this procedure.
But not everyone needs this kind of major surgery. Sometimes, heart surgery can be performed using smaller incisions and less invasive methods. But that is up to your doctor to decide, after examining your condition and health.
What kind of surgeries are performed by opening the chest like this?
This procedure is used when surgeons need to access the heart and surrounding blood vessels directly to treat certain heart conditions.
| Type of surgery | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) | When the artery supplying blood to the heart becomes blocked, a new artery is transplanted to replace it. This is the most common surgery. |
| Heart valve repair or replacement | If the valves in the heart are not working properly, they can be repaired or a new valve can be inserted. |
| Repair of congenital heart disease | Correction of conditions such as atrial septal defects that are present at birth. |
| Aneurysm repair | If a wall of the heart or a major blood vessel has become weak and has bulged like a balloon, repairing that part. |
| Heart Transplant | Transplanting a healthy heart from another person into someone whose heart function is almost completely impaired (heart failure). |
| Implantation of special equipment | Implantation of devices such as LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) or pacemakers that help the heart function. |
How should I prepare before the surgery?
Since this is a major surgery, it is very important to prepare well for it. You should follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Take care of your medication.
Two weeks before surgery, your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications that increase your risk of bleeding. For example, blood thinners like aspirin and warfarin, and pain relievers called NSAIDs . Be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.
About food and drink
You will be advised to fast (not eat or drink anything) for several hours before surgery. It is safest to have an empty stomach during anesthesia.
Smoking and alcohol
If you are a smoker, you should definitely stop smoking before surgery. It is also a good idea to stop drinking alcohol. These things can delay wound healing and increase the risk of complications after surgery.
Stay away from sick people.
For about two weeks before surgery, stay away from people who have colds or flu. You don't want to have any kind of infection on the day of surgery.
How is the surgery performed?
There are two types of heart surgery.
1. On-Pump Surgery: This involves connecting a heart-lung bypass machine to your heart. This machine temporarily takes over the work of your heart and lungs. This means that the heart is pumping blood to the body, while the blood is stopped. The surgeon can then perform surgery on the stopped, blood-deprived heart . Once the surgery is complete, the machine is removed, and the heart starts working again.
2. Off-Pump Surgery: This is also called "beating-heart surgery." Here, the heart is not stopped. The surgery is performed while the heart is beating. However, this method can only be used for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries .
During the surgery, an anesthesiologist will put you completely asleep and continuously monitor your condition, so you won't feel any pain.
After surgery, the breastbone is reattached using special wires or stitches. These remain in the body for life. The skin incision is then closed with stitches.
What happens after the surgery?
After the surgery, you will be kept in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a day or more for special care. Once your condition is stable, you will be transferred to a regular ward.
You will need to stay in the hospital for a few days. During this time, your heart will be monitored and the tests you did before the surgery (such as an ECG) will be repeated. You will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk around gradually. This will help the wound heal faster.
After surgery, you may experience the following:
- Constipation due to painkillers.
- Memory problems or mood swings .
- Insomnia .
- The food is tasteless.
- Pain, bruising, and slight swelling at the incision site.
- Pain and stiffness in the chest muscles.
- Feeling tired as usual.
Many of these things will subside in a few days or weeks.
What are the risks and benefits?
Like any major surgery, this one has some risks.
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Blood clotting.
- Irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmias).
- Small risk of stroke.
- Allergy to anesthesia.
People with diabetes, obesity, lung disease (such as COPD) or kidney disease, and smokers are at slightly higher risk of complications.
But the biggest advantage of this surgery is that it can save lives . For some, after this surgery, symptoms are completely gone, they can easily carry out daily activities, and they can live a very good quality of life .
How long does it take to heal?
It can take 6 to 12 weeks or even longer to fully recover, depending on the type of surgery you had and your overall health.
You will usually not be allowed to drive or lift heavy objects for the first 6 weeks. Your doctor will tell you when you can go back to work. You may also be referred to a cardiac rehab program. This can help you regain your strength.
| If you have these symptoms, call your doctor immediately! | |
|---|---|
| - Severe chest pain, different from the usual pain experienced during a stroke. | |
| - Fever. | |
| - Pus-like fluid draining from the incision, redness, or excessive swelling (signs of infection). | |
| - Persistent nausea and vomiting. | |
| - Difficulty breathing. | |
| - Stroke symptoms such as difficulty speaking and drooping of one side of the face. | |
Take-Home Message
- Open heart surgery is not something to be afraid of, it is a major surgery that is successfully performed today and can save lives.
- It is very important for success to follow the doctor's instructions (medication, diet, and smoking cessation) exactly before surgery.
- It takes time to heal. So be patient. Give your body the time it needs to heal.
- It's normal to feel anxious or stressed after surgery. Talk to your family and doctor about it openly.
- If you have any questions about the surgery, don't be afraid to ask the doctor. Knowing everything clearly will give you mental strength.
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