Afib - Anyone had the Wolf Mini Maze procedure?

Linda,
Patricia talks about seeing Dr. Wolf and considering the mini-maze procedure. See the comment by @patinhou here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/good-morning-im-almost-66-years-old-with-infrequent-afib-and-on/?pg=10#comment-34475
Patricia, did you decided to have the mini-maze done? Why or why not?

Linda, you may have alread read this, but here's a paper talking about the procedure
- Minimally invasive surgery for atrial fibrillation—Wolf Mini Maze procedure https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3904339/

There is a discussion about tikosyn here. Care to participate?
- Tikosyn for A Fib https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tikosyn-for-a-fib/

Thoracic surgeon inform me that AF sufferer may consider MM , A EP shld stand by to perform the ablation as well. Thats two procedures by 2 specialist. Double cost n what abt the time factor... anyone gone through MM as a stand alone procedure?

I took tikosyn successfully for 5.5 years, but I went into atrial flutter in April of this year. (This was just after I was switched to the generic form of dofetilide, which seems suspicious to me, but I am assured that I had just reached the end of effectiveness after a good long time.) I have been in atrial flutter since then. Cardioversion failed so I was taken off dofetilide and refered for traditional ablation, but the TEE just before the ablation showed too much "sludge" in my left atrial appendage. I have talked to a surgeon who wants to do open heart ablation, closure of the LAA and maybe replacement of my mitral valve. I have been researching less invasive ways to accomplish these things, so I am also interested in the Wolf mini maze. I need to talk to my surgeon, who is working on less invasive techniques, and then find the best place for a second opinion. If anyone has similar experience, I would love to hear it!

Does Mayo do this procedure? If not, what is your view on this done in Texas

Welcome, Maggie. You may have noticed that I moved your question about the mini-Maze procedure to this existing discussion. I did this so you can connect with members like @kitzkatz @bock @vermontrob @predictable and others who have had or are considering this procedure.

You asked if Mayo does the Maze procedure.Yes, they do. You can read more about Mayo's approach here:
- Maze procedure https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/maze-procedure/pyc-20384973

Mayo Clinic doctors perform every type of atrial fibrillation ablation procedure and will talk with you about which method is best for you. Studies show there is a reduced risk of complications from cardiac ablation when the procedure is done by an experienced electrophysiologist in a hospital that performs many procedures.

Maggie, do you know if you are a candidate for the mini-Maze? What options have been discussed with you?

i had it done 2010 and am so thankful for it. it has been 12 yrs since. i feel free--from this terrible feeling, and from running to the hospital 3 or 4 times a year and from drugs. thank God for the wolf mini maze procedure. it worked for me.
i would do it all over again if need be.

but do they do the mini maze like Dr Wolf...if not why not...and also the laa removal...seems so logical...Mayo seems stuck in the past or money or whatever