Clinical Outcomes of the Ozaki Procedure With Right Infra‐Axillary Mini‐Thoracotomy Approach

Objective: The research evaluated both safety and effectiveness of the Ozaki procedure when performed through right infra‐axillary mini‐thoracotomy on adult patients. Mini‐thoracotomy approaches in the surgical treatment of aortic valve diseases produce better cosmetic outcomes and faster recovery times than traditional sternotomy procedures. The study examined clinical results from the Ozaki procedure when surgeons used this approach for short‐ and medium‐term follow‐up. Methods: Between January 2021 and March 2025, 21 patients aged 18 years or older with symptomatic aortic valve pathology and eligible for elective surgery were included in the study. The Ozaki procedure was performed on all patients using the right infra‐axillary mini‐thoracotomy approach. Clinical and demographic data, surgical technique details, early postoperative, and 6‐month follow‐up findings were examined. The main analysis parameters included surgery duration, complication rates, intensive care and hospital stay duration, echocardiographic results, and the need for reoperation. Results: The mean age was 65 ± 12 years, and 62% were male. Aortic stenosis was the most common pathology (81%). The mean surgery duration was 210 ± 30 min, and the intensive care unit stay was 2.5 ± 1 day. No cases of aortic valve insufficiency or major complications were observed in the early postoperative period. At 6‐month follow‐up, no reoperation was required except for endocarditis development in one patient (5%). Mortality was zero. Conclusion: The Ozaki procedure with mini‐thoracotomy provides successful and safe results in suitable patients. This method, which offers both cosmetic and functional advantages, can be considered an effective alternative in aortic valve surgery.