The Maze Procedure is surgery performed to treat atrial fibrillation, a common cardiac arrhythmia. During the procedure, a number of incisions are made on the left and right atria to form scar tissue, which does not conduct electricity and disrupts the path of abnormal electrical impulses. The scar tissue also prevents erratic electrical signals from recurring. After the incisions are made, the atrium is sewn together to allow it to hold blood and contract to push blood into the ventricle.

Open Chest Maze Surgery

Open chest Maze surgery means that the sternum is divided to allow access to the chest. During this surgery, the heart is stopped and a heart-lung machine is used. Scissors are used to open the pericardium to gain access to the heart.

Minimally Invasive Maze Surgery

Minimally invasive maze surgery is performed through small keyhole incisions made between the ribs, through which a tiny camera and video-guided instruments are inserted. When appropriate, robots are used to assist the surgeon during the procedure.

This minimally invasive surgery eliminates the need for dividing the breastbone (sternum), does not require the heart to be stopped and does not require a heart-lung machine to be used. This often results in less pain, shorter recovery times and a lower risk of infection associated with open-heart surgery.