This week, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System marked its 1,000th minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). The milestone procedure, performed by Jonathan Hoffberger, DO, of First Physicians Group, repairs or replaces heart valves through a small incision between the ribs. Instead of a sternotomy, which requires a 12- to 14-inch incision through the breastbone, many open-heart surgeries can now be performed through tiny 2 to 3-inch incisions between the ribs - thanks to advances in MICS, and the skill of experienced surgeons like Dr. Hoffberger. By avoiding cutting through the breastbone, MICS helps to reduce pain, infection risk, and recovery time. Patients typically spend less time in the hospital and are able to return to their normal routines much sooner, all while achieving the same excellent results as traditional open-heart procedures. For more information about Sarasota Memorial’s heart and vascular services, visit smh.com/heart.

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