A: Both minimally invasive heart surgery and traditional surgery that involves opening the chest bone — a procedure known as sternotomy — are safe, effective ways to repair a damaged mitral valve.

Although the minimally-invasive procedures can extend life for those too frail for traditional open heart surgery, a less invasive surgery isn't always automatically the best for everyone.

Dear Mayo Clinic: Is minimally invasive heart surgery to repair a mitral valve a safer option than open-heart surgery? Is it common for a surgeon to have to switch to an open-heart procedure after ...

A: Both minimally invasive heart surgery and traditional surgery that involves opening the chest bone — a procedure known as sternotomy — are safe, effective ways to repair a damaged mitral valve.