What is Myotomy & Myectomy?

by Niraj Jayaswal Content Writer

Article

Invented in the year 1972, both myotomy and myectomy are open heart surgeries which were developed by the Stanford surgeons. The method to perform myotomy and myectomy is based on the traditional pattern of open-heart surgery but despite their methodology, these surgeries have proven themselves to be a breakthrough to help the patients who are suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). During hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the mitral valve also suffers damage, which stimulates obstruction to the flow of blood through the mitral valve. In addition to that, the damaged mitral valve does not close properly leading to leakage of blood in a backward direction.

Myotomy and myectomy are surgical interventions to remove the thickened wall of the heart which else pose risk to the health of the patient. If the condition is not severe, the initial treatment plan is to treat the patient with medications. But if the medications prove to be ineffective or the conditions have reached a severe level, the potentiality of myotomy and myectomy to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy becomes a necessity. Myotomy and myectomy are especially recommended for patients where the track from the left ventricle to the aorta is constricted or obstructed.

Diagnosis

A detailed evaluation of the patient is essential before myotomy and myectomy, it also calculates the eligibility of the patient for treatment through surgical interventions.

Laboratory tests such as chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests are to be done before any such surgical options. Routine bloodis carried to evaluate the condition and flow of the blood in the heart.
A detailed echocardiogram (echo) is a basic diagnostic procedure for evaluating any cardiovascular problem. Echocardiogram determines the functioning of the heart, plus, it also assesses accurate results of how thick the septal wall is due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. When the condition is severe, cardiac surgeon can recommend specialized echo tests, these tests are specifically performed to engage the patient with exercise or the use of special drugs to diagnosethe severity of obstruction in the outflow tract and mitral valve.
The necessity of a diagnostic cardiac catheterization is important in the diagnostic procedure for myotomy and myectomy, if the patient has undergone this test before in the timespan of the past year, the reports can be used.

Treatment

Myotomy and myectomy are open-heart surgeries, they do not use any kind of laparoscopic techniques, which makes surgical expertise a crucial factor in determining the success of the operation. The basic purpose of any septal myectomy is to surgically remove the thickened heart wall and so is exactly done in these surgical treatments. Cardiac surgeons make sure that the problem of both mitral valve obstruction and mitral valve regurgitation are also treated through these procedures. To facilitate the room for the outflow tract from the left ventricle to the aorta, the thickened septal wall is surgically removed.

Risks

The association of risks of complications with any surgery cannot be eliminated, no matter how advanced that course of treatment is. It is not particularly because of the type of treatments but factors suchas age, gender, and well-being of the patient can also be responsible. The potential risks of myotomy and myectomy have been enlisted below:

Infection and bleeding due to the use of surgical instruments
Irregular heart rhythm (heart arrhythmias)
Chest pain or angina
Heart attack
Stroke
Death

In the case of myotomy and myectomy, the patient should consult the medical institutions which provide the highest standards of surgical expertise and operative care. Acknowledging the risksofcomplications beforethe operation is important on part of the patient because it will help them to set practical goals before the treatment.

Conclusion

The best heart surgeon in India defines myotomy and myectomy as the effective treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the TAVR cardiac surgery hospital in Delhi provide these services. Even though they are based on traditional methodologies, but their success rates are similar to those of esteemed TAVI cardiac surgery hospital in Delhi. A similar approach to consulting the best heart hospital in Delhi for heart bypass surgery in Delhi should be followed in this case because these surgeries are challenging in nature.