الفهرس 
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Abstract
Access to the mitral valve was gained through different ways; through right antero–lateral extended thoracotomy, through right parasternal access with rib resection and through routine median sternotomy which remain the most common approach for mitral valve procedures, such as repair or replacement, allowing good visualisation, exposure and working field. During the last years, minimally invasive procedures have gained their popularity in all surgical fields, and minimally invasive mitral valve surgery has become widely adopted by several countries world wide. Enhanced understanding of surgical bases and technological development sourced a breakthrough in minimally-invasive approach for the mitral valve offering several advantages over routine median sternotomy that should be taken into consideration, and the technique of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery via right anterolateral minithoracotomy and port access shall be the procedure of choice in patients with isolated mitral valve disease instead of a sternotomy.