Maze, Minimally Invasive AFib surgery

I would love to hear experiences, good or bad of this treatment:

Maze Procedure
During the procedure, a surgeon makes small incisions on the upper chambers of the heart in a maze-like pattern. The incisions create scar tissue that will block the electrical signals causing the irregular heartbeat.
Your surgeon makes the cuts using very hot or cold applications from radio waves, freezing, microwaves or ultrasound energy. The maze procedure can be completed through small cuts in the chest or during open-heart surgery. It is often done at the same time a person is having coronary artery bypass or valve repair surgery.
The maze procedure has proven to be very successful in treating patients with atrial fibrillation – stopping the problem in about nine out of 10 people. A patient may need to take heart rhythm medicine after the procedure.

6 Options for Treating Atrial Fibrillation | Mercy [search.app]

Has anyone got the treatment in Tokyo?

Minimally Invasive AFib surgery in To... - Atrial Fibrillati... [search.app]

I can't recall ever seeing anyone here from Japan, and definitely not someone from Japan who's had a Maze procedure. We had a couple of members in the past who've had a Maze but I haven't seen them around in a while. Hopefully someone will speak up.

I had a cryo-maze Procedure nearly a year ago while my mitral valve was being repaired. I also had my left atrial appendage sutured at the same time. It was a complete miracle for me as I have been Afib free since. I did have a ablation for Flutter on the right side after the Maze and mitral repair but I have been in NSR since. This was done in the USA not Japan.

I had the mini maze surgery 17 years ago in the US as part of a study with Emory University. Afib free for 10 years, then returned. Had a "touch up" ablation 6 years ago. Afib free for 10 years at the time was considered remarkable since this type of surgery was just getting off the ground. I feel that since that time, the technique and outcome has improved.

I am two months post-Maze IV. Still healing. Other than three minor episodes of flutter, I have remained in NSR. The procedure was performed at BJC in Saint Louis. It is not for the "faint of heart" but it appeared to be my best option. Be safe, Doc

Dr.Toshiya Ohtsuka in Tokyo, does the minimally invasive Wolf-Ohtsuka Procedure (WOP). He trained with Dr. Wolf in Houston so similar to the Wolff mini maze. Costs in Tokyo quite favorable versus a similar procedure in the United States, UK, or Europe,, should you have to pay out-of-pocket, therefore he sees people from around the world.

Jim