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Heart valve surgery no longer has to mean a large chest incision and a lengthy painful recovery. Surgeons at Boulder Community Hospital can now repair or replace heart valves through a small incision between the ribs. This innovative new approach means:  Cardiothoracic surgeons at Boulder Community Hospital now offer a less-invasive approach called Port Access Valve Surgery. Surgeons repair or replace heart valves through a small incision between the ribs, offering several important advantages:
Far less pain — Port Access eliminates the trauma and post-surgical pain associated with movement that results from a large breastbone incision. In fact, Port Access patients often require little or no pain medicine upon returning home. Faster recovery — Port Access patients usually return to regular activities and even return to work within two to three weeks; conventional open-heart patients must wait six weeks or more for their breastbones to heal. Dramatically less scarring — The incision is much less noticeable than the scar from conventional surgery. This is particularly appealing to those who wish to continue wearing low-neckline clothing after surgery. For many women, the Port Access scar is underneath the breast and almost unnoticeable. Shorter hospital stays — Port Access reduces the average hospital stay from 7-10 days to just 3-5 days. Patients require little assistance for their personal care. “Between-the-ribs” Heart Surgery In conventional heart valve surgery, surgeons reach the heart by cutting the chest open from top to bottom and “sawing” the breastbone (sternum) in half. This traumatic open-chest procedure, called a sternotomy, usually leaves the patient with a 7-10 day hospital stay, painful 2-3 months of recovery, and a 10-15 inch disfiguring scar on the chest. The new Port Access surgery is a radical departure from this traditional approach. Instead, surgeons make a small 3-4 inch cut — or “port” — between the ribs, and peer through the ribs to fix the valve. Many call it closed-heart surgery. Questions and Answers 1. What types of problems are treated? - Mitral valve repairs or replacement
- Aortic valve replacement
2. Who is a candidate for minimally invasive heart surgery? Your cardiothoracic surgeon will review the results of your diagnostic tests to determine whether you are a candidate for the minimally invasive approach. 3. How does the heart-lung machine connection differ between Port Access and conventional open-chest heart surgery? With traditional heart valve surgery, the chest is cut open in order to insert tubes into the blood vessels around the heart. These tubes connect the patient to an external heart-lung machine that completely takes over the functions of the heart and lungs, letting the doctor temporarily stop the heart. With the heart still and quiet, surgeons can operate on the valve. Port access also allows doctors to put a patient on a heart-lung machine, but the tubes are placed in the groin and the neck and then threaded through the vessels until they reach the heart. Once the patient is connected to the heart-lung machine, surgeons operate on the heart using the same techniques applied during traditional, open-chest heart surgery. 4. What are the risks associated with the less invasive Port Access valve surgery? All major surgeries have the potential for complications. Only your doctor can determine your risk factors and help you weigh the risks and benefits of a given procedure. 5. Why choose Boulder Community Hospital? BCH is the first hospital in Colorado to offer this remarkable chest-sparing heart surgery. An expert team works collaboratively to ensure a comprehensive surgical and rehabilitation experience for all Port Access patients. Our specially trained surgeons are associated with Boulder Valley Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Boulder Valley Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
6800 N. 79th Street
Niwot CO 80503
303 652-8888  Thomas Matthew, M.D.
Dr. Matthew, a cardiothoracic (heart & lung) surgeon, grew up in New York City where he attended the Bronx High School of Science. He earned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and hismedical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Dr. Matthew then earned a master’s degree in surgical research at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. He completed his internship, general surgery residency and thoracic-cardiovascular surgery residency at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center. He served as chief resident during both residencies. Dr. Matthew has been practicing in the Boulder area since 2003. Before that, he practiced in Louisville, Kentucky, for nine years. While in Louisville, Dr. Matthew served as president of the medical staff and medical director of the open heart unit at Audubon Hospital. He also served on the board of directors for Louisville’s American Heart Association and the Jewish Hospital Heart and Lung Institute. Dr. Matthew is board certified in two subspecialties. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is an active member of numerous medical societies, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, American College of Surgeons, the National Medical Association, the Association of Black Cardiologists and the American Medical Association. In addition, Dr. Matthew has received many fellowships and awards, including a National Science Foundation Research Fellowship sponsored by The Ford Foundation. Dr. Matthew is married to Dayna Matthew, a University of Colorado law professor, and has three children. His hobbies include amateur radio, computer science, tennis, running, biking and rowing.  Mark Douthit, M.D.
Dr. Douthit is a cardiothoracic (heart & lung) surgeon who has been practicing in Boulder since 1994. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Douthit earned his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, in 1981. He completed residencies in general surgery and thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at Baylor. He was also awarded a fellowship in infectious disease at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. Dr. Douthit was in private practice as a cardiothoracic surgeon in Dallas, Texas, from 1989 to 1994. There he helped establish an emerging heart transplant program and participated in more than 20 heart transplants within a two-year period. He also established a successful heart surgery program at a private suburban hospital. He has taught video-assisted thoracic surgery throughout the U.S. and has given seminars throughout the U.S. Dr. Douthit is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Michael E. Debakey International Society and the American College of Chest Physicians. These BCH surgeons are assisted by a specially trained team, that includes an anesthesiologist, perfusion technologist, and other specially trained medical professionals. BCH also offers specialized, state of the art facilities, including a specially equipped cardiac surgical suite, dedicated cardiac intensive care rooms, a telemetry-monitored patient care unit and a full-service rehabilitation facility. Return to Top
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