International Exchange | Thai Cardiac Surgery Expert Visits XMCH for Mitral Valve Repair Symposium

Recently, internationally renowned cardiac surgeon and fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand, Professor Taweesak Chotivatanapong, visited Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital Xiamen University (referred to as "XMCH"). He engaged in an academic symposium with the hospital's team, focusing on mitral valve surgical repair, sharing innovative techniques, and providing hands-on surgical guidance.

Professor Taweesak Chotivatanapong is currently the Director of the Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Diseases under Thailand's Ministry of Public Health. He also serves as a consultant in cardiothoracic surgery at the Thai National Institute of Chest Diseases and is the president of the Thai Association of Thoracic Surgeons. He possesses extensive expertise and clinical experience in cardiac surgery, particularly in the repair of rheumatic and degenerative mitral valves, earning widespread recognition from international peers.

During the discussion and exchange session, Lin Zhi, Director of the Cardiac Surgery Division 1 at XMCH, delivered a speech welcoming Professor Taweisak to visit XMCH again. He introduced Professor Taweisak to the hospital's development layout, diagnosis and treatment services, discipline construction, and other aspects in recent years. Through the promotional video of the Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program, he showcased XMCH international development strategy of combining "inviting in" and "going out". Professor Taweisak is very excited to visit XMCH again. He highly praised the hospital's world-class medical environment, facilities, service philosophy, disciplinary development, and international perspective. He deeply felt the hospital's rapid development and expressed his hope for continued deepening of interdisciplinary exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the future. Professor Liao Chongxian and the cardiac surgery team from XMCH accompanied the discussion.

Led by Director Lin Zhi, the cardiac surgery team completed two high difficulty mitral valve reconstruction surgeries under full thoracoscopy. Professor Taweisak and Professor Liao Chongxian were fully involved and guided the surgical process.

Case 1:

The leaflets and annulus in A3 and P3 regions are longitudinally torn apart, forming a rare "double orifice" reflux. Preoperative ultrasound is difficult to determine the cause of reflux due to the angle of the section. Professor Taweisak accurately identified the tendon tissue attached beneath the valve leaflets and suggested that the surgeon suture it back onto the valve annulus, reshape the annulus with a shaping ring, and solve the difficult problem in a concise and efficient manner.

Case 2:

Barlow disease, redundant posterior lobe tissue, and extensive prolapse. Professor Taweisak suggested cutting the seam. The XMCH team adopted a strategy of implanting multiple tendons based on the characteristics of laparoscopic surgery, and ultimately achieved successful valve repair through the implantation of 3 pairs of 6 artificial tendons on the same site.

Following the surgeries, Professor Taweesak and the XMCH team conducted a thorough review of both cases. He delivered a lecture titled “Tips and Tricks in Degenerative MV Repair” sharing clinical insights and strategies based on classic case studies. The hospital's cardiac surgery team engaged in in-depth discussions with Professor Taweesak on mitral valve treatment concepts, innovative techniques, and the latest advancements in the field.

This symposium further strengthened the friendship between XMCH and Professor Taweesak while enhancing academic exchanges in the field of cardiac surgery. By focusing on advanced international mitral valve repair concepts, the event broadened perspectives in cardiac surgery, and inspired new ideas for valve treatment.