A Study for QOL and Surgical Incision Pain in Patients Undergoing Totally Thoracoscopic Combined Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement Surgery

BACKGROUND: In recent years, based on traditional median sternotomy surgery, totally thoracoscopic for aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery is increasingly being performed despite little published evidence. This study investigated postoperative pain and short-term quality of life (QOL) of patients undergoing double valve replacement surgery. METHODS: From November 2021 to December 2022, 141 patients with double valvular heart disease who underwent thoracoscopic group (N = 62) and median sternotomy group (N = 79) were included. Clinical data were recorded, and a visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure postoperative pain intensity. The medical outcomes study (MOS) 36-item Short-Form Health Survey assessed short-term QOL after surgery. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients underwent total thoracic double valve replacement, and 79 patients underwent median sternotomy double valve replacement. Both groups were similar in terms of demographics and general clinical data, as well as the incidence of postoperative adverse events. The VAS scores of the thoracoscopic group were lower than those in the median sternotomy group. The hospital stay time was significantly shorter in the thoracoscopic group than in the median sternotomy group (30.2 ± 12 days vs. 36 ± 19 days, p = 0.03). The scores of bodily pains and some of the subscales in SF-36 were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic combined aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery can reduce postoperative pain and improve short-term postoperative QOL, which has specific clinical application value.