Dehradun : Max Hospital, Dehradun, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully performing a Trans-Axillary Minimally Invasive Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure—a specialised heart surgery technique for complex cardiac conditions. The procedure was conducted on a 32-year-old male patient using a tiny incision under the arm, offering a safer, faster, and better alternative to traditional heart surgery.

The patient, Rupendra Chauhan, has been living with a congenital heart defect since birth, never experienced any heart-related symptoms during childhood or early adulthood. It was only this year that he began noticing mild breathing difficulty during routine activities. Concerned, he visited Max Hospital, Dehradun, where a detailed evaluation by the cardiac team led by Dr. Ravi Kumar Singh, Visiting Consultant, Cardiac Surgery (CTVS), Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, revealed a large ASD with aneurysmal septal tissue—a big hole in the wall of the heart that separates the two upper chambers, along with a weakened and bulging portion of that wall.

Speaking about the case, Dr Ravi Kumar Singh, said, “After thorough assessment, we opted for a minimally invasive trans-axillary approach, a technique that avoids the traditional sternotomy (opening of the chest bone). This approach provides significant cosmetic and recovery advantages by using a small incision hidden under the arm, resulting in minimal pain, reduced blood loss, and a quicker return to routine activities.”

While traditional ASD surgery typically requires a 7–8 day hospital stay, the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day, stable, pain-free, and even comfortable enough to drive home himself. Minimally invasive heart surgery is a game-changer for young patients like Mr. Chauhan, helping them return to normal life much faster.

While ASD itself is not rare, performing its closure through the trans-axillary minimally invasive route is still relatively uncommon and requires advanced expertise. Max Hospital, Dehradun, continues to expand access to cutting-edge cardiac care, ensuring patients benefit from globally benchmarked surgical techniques and faster healing journeys.