HEART AND LUNG SURGERY << BACK Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery Some valve repairs and valve replacements may be done using minimally invasive procedures. This method uses a small, 3- to 4-inch incision, compared to the 6- to 8-inch incision made during traditional valve surgery. Minimally invasive surgery leaves a smaller scar and reduces the recovery time for most patients (with an average hospital stay of three to five days). This method also decreases the risk of infection and the pain and trauma of surgery.