The port-access technique allows the repair or replacement of the mitral or aortic valves through a small thoracic incision of 5 -7 cms, large enough to allow the insertion of specially-designed surgical equipment and the valvular prosthesis, instead of the large incision through the sternum used in conventional valvular surgery.

The advantages of this technique lay in avoiding sternotomy, replacing this large, very painful incision through the central thoracic bone (the sternum) - the cause of so many post-operative pulmonary complications - with a mini-thoracotomy, without separating the ribs. This reduces pulmonary complications and post-operative pain in particular, leading to an earlier recovery. This advantage is most noticeable in patients who have previously had coronary bypass surgery.