Total endoscopic repair of a pediatric atrial septal defect using the da Vinci robot and hypothermic fibrillation

Computerized robotic enhancement has recently emerged as a promising technology to facilitate minimally invasive cardiac surgery. We report the first totally endoscopic closure of an atrial septal defect in a child using the da Vinci robot and hypothermic fibrillation.     

Robotic techniques improve quality of life in patients undergoing atrial septal defect repair

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery has emerged as an alternative to conventional, open surgery. Although most studies of robotically assisted cardiac surgery have reported morbidity and mortality, few have addressed outcome measures, such as pain and quality of life, which was the aim of this study. METHODS: Eleven patients with atrial septal defects (ASD), and five patients with patent foramen ovale, underwent repair using the Da Vinci system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA). The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Survey (SF-36), along with two additional questions, were administered to these patients on postoperative day 30, along with a similar number of patients who underwent ASD repair by mini-thoracotomy or sternotomy. Quality of life endpoints included bodily pain, vitality, mental health, general health, physical function, and social function. RESULTS: Robotic patients demonstrated significantly higher scores in 6 of the eight variables (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in intensive care unit or overall hospital stay among the groups (p = NS). Robotic patients returned to work after 40.2 +/- 30.2 days, mini-thoracotomy patients after 45.6 +/- 27.9 days, and sternotomy patients after 51.7 +/- 40.2 days (p = 0.767). There were no significant differences in SF-36 scores between patients who underwent mini-thoracotomy and sternotomy approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Closure of an ASD can be performed safely and effectively via an endoscopic approach. Robotic technology minimized the degree of invasiveness, hastened postoperative recovery, and improved quality of life, although length of hospital stay was unchanged.     

全机器人不开胸房间隔缺损修补术

目的总结“达芬奇S”（da Vinci S）全机器人下不开胸房间隔缺损（ASD）修补术临床经验。方法1月至2007年7月，使用da Vinci S全机器人系统，不开胸完成房间隔缺损修补15例中男3例，女12例；平均年龄为（38．5±7．8）岁。均为继发孔型房间隔缺损，缺损直径2．0cm～3．6cm，无右向左分流，肺动脉压轻到中度升高。全组肺功能良好，无胸膜炎病史。超声引导下股动静脉及右侧颈内静脉插管建立体外循环。于右侧胸壁做3个直径均为1cm的器械臂孔，分别插入机器人系统的内窥镜和机械臂；1个直径为2cm工作孔。机器人操控医师于操作台前、三维成像系统下遥控机器人进行手术。直接修补10例，心包补片修补5例。术中食管超声评估修补效果。结果全组手术均成功，无术中手术方式的转变。平均体外循环（109．5±12．6）min，主动脉阻断（41．2±11．7）min。术中及术后出血明显减少，术后第2d出监护室，术后恢复明显加快，无残余分流和恶性心律失常等并发症的发生。结论全机器人不开胸房间隔缺损修补手术效果确实、可靠，是微创心脏外科的发展方向。     

Coronary embolism following atrial septal defect repair

To our knowledge, coronary embolism following repair of atrial septal defect has not been reported previously. A 29-year-old woman had an angiographically documented embolus to the circumflex coronary artery on the fifth postoperative day after pericardial patch repair of a secundum atrial septal defect. This complication might have been prevented by temporary postoperative anticoagulation.     

Anesthesia management of totally endoscopic atrial septal defect repair with a robotic surgical system

Study Objective

To investigate anesthetic techniques for robot-assisted endoscopic atrial septal defect (ASD) repair.

Design

Clinical observational study.

Setting

Operating room of a general military hospital.

Patients

56 adult, ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients undergoing elective general anesthesia.

Interventions

After induction of general anesthesia, a left-sided, double-lumen endotracheal tube was positioned to allow single left-lung ventilation and contralateral CO₂ pneumothorax (capnothorax). With ultrasound guidance, peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) catheters were placed.

Measurements and Main Results

All patients tolerated single left-lung ventilation before CPB; however, hypoxia (oxygen saturation < 90%) occurred in 11 (19.6%) patients post-CPB, which required treatment with continuous positive airway pressure. Fifteen (26.8%) patients had hypotension secondary to capnothorax, which was treated with transfusion and vasopressors. Aortic cross-clamp time was 43.6 ± 11.2 minutes, and CPB time was 106.7 ± 12.4 minutes. The median intensive care unit stay was 21 hours and postoperative hospital stay was 4 to 7 days.

Conclusions

The key issue for anesthetic management of robot-assisted totally endoscopic ASD repair is maintaining stable hemodynamics and oxygenation, especially during one-lung ventilation and capnothorax.     

Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive endoscopic and conventional sternotomy approaches for atrial septal defect repair

Background

Concerns remain that minimally invasive atrial septal defect (ASD) repair may compromise patient outcomes. We compared clinical outcomes of adult patients undergoing ASD repair via a minimally invasive endoscopic approach versus a “gold standard” sternotomy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of consecutive patients who underwent ASD patch repair at our institution between 2002 and 2012. We compared in-hospital/30-day mortality, postoperative complications, length of stay in hospital and in the intensive care unit and blood product requirements between patients who underwent right mini-thoracotomy (MT) and those who underwent conventional sternotomy.

Results

During the study period, 73 consecutive patients underwent ASD patch repair at our institution: 51 (age 47 ± 16 yr, 66.7% women) in the MT group and 22 (age 46 ± 21 yr, 59.1% women) in the sternotomy group. In-hospital mortality was similar between the 2 groups (MT 0% v. sternotomy 4.5%, p = 0.30). There were no significant differences in any postoperative complications or blood product requirements. No patients in the MT group suffered stroke, retrograde aortic dissection or leg ischemia. Mean intensive care unit (MT 1.2 ± 1.2 d v. sternotomy 1.7 ± 2.2 d, p = 0.26) and hospital length of stays (MT 5.1 ± 2.2 d v. sternotomy 6.3 ± 3.6 d, p = 0.17) were similar between the groups; however, there was a trend toward fewer patients requiring prolonged hospital stays (> 10 d) in the MT group (3.9% v. 18.2%, p = 0.06).

Conclusion

Repair of ostium secundum and sinus venosus ASD can be performed safely via MT endoscopic approach with similar outcomes as sternotomy. Patient preference for a more cosmetically appealing incision may be considered without concern of compromised outcomes.     

全胸腔镜房间隔室间隔缺损修补手术学习曲线

目的 总结全胸腔镜下心脏手术的学习曲线.方法 回顾性收集2004年10月至2010年1月由同一术者连续完成的125例全胸腔镜下房间隔缺损、室间隔缺损修补手术病例资料,按手术先后顺序分为A、B、C、D、E5组,每组25例,从各组手术时间、体外循环时间、主动脉阻断时间、中转开胸率及手术并发症等指标比较手术效果.结果 各组病例年龄、性别、体重、病种及手术方式差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).手术时间、体外循环时间、主动脉阻断时间3项指标A、B组明显长于C、D、E组(P＜0.05),A、B两组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),C、D、E3组之间差异亦无统计学意义(P＞0.05).各组中转开胸率及手术并发症发生率比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 全胸腔镜房间隔、室间隔缺损修补术的学习曲线约为50例.     

Right parasternal minithoracotomy for repair of atrial septal defect

Various surgical approaches for repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) have recently been introduced for superior cosmetic and less invasive results. A technique for repair of isolated ASD through a small right parasternal minithoracotomy is described. In spite of the smaller incision, there is no need to use femoral cannulation or video-assisted endoscopy. This approach is simple, less invasive, and cosmetic. We believe that right parasternal minithoracotomy is a suitable alternative to a median sternotomy for ASD closure, especially in young male patients.     

Totally robotic resection of myxoma and atrial septal defect repair

Resection of left atrial myxoma and large atrial septal defect repair were performed in 55 patients using the da Vinci S surgical system to evaluate device safety and efficacy. Fifty-five patients underwent resection of left atrial myxomas (n=10) or secundum-type ASD (n=45) repairs with three cases of concomitant tricuspid valve repairs, using the da Vinci S surgical system. Mean age of the patients was 38+/-12.2 years (range 12-61 years). Cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved peripherally, aortic occlusion was performed with Chitwood cross-clamp, and antegrade cardioplegia was administered via anterior chest. Via four port incisions in the right chest and a 2-2.5-cm working port, all the procedures were completed with the da Vinci robot. All patients had successful resection or repairs. The mean CPB times and aortic cross-clamp times were 108.6+/-12.5 min and 45+/-11.5 min, respectively. There were no operative deaths, strokes, or device-related complications. One patient was reexplored for bleeding. There were no incisional conversions. All the patients were discharged. da Vinci S surgical system has no limitations to safe resection of left atrial myxomas and of ASD repairs, surgical results are excellent, and this technology is of reproducible value with excellent cosmetic results.     

Chylopericardium following atrial septal defect repair: case report

Chylopericardium after intrapericardial cardiac operations is extremely rare. We present an unusual case of postoperative chylopericardium with cardiac tamponade following atrial septal defect repair, and we comment on the clinical course and treatment.     

Totally endoscopic computer-enhanced atrial septal defect closure in six patients

BACKGROUND: Totally endoscopic procedures have been introduced into cardiac surgery with the application of telemanipulating robotic systems. We report 6 cases of closed-chest atrial septal defect (ASD) closure using a robotic device. METHODS: After deflating the right lung, the endoscopic camera and two robotic arms were inserted into the right hemithorax through 8-mm ports. An accessory port was placed for blood suction and for introduction of ancillary endoscopic instruments. After femoral-femoral cannulation for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), aortic occlusion, and cardioplegia delivery, the intracardiac correction was carried out in 5 patients with an ostium secundum ASD and in 1 patient with a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal aneurysm (ASA). The ASDs were closed with a continuous braided polyester suture. The PFO closure with septal aneurysm plication was carried out with interrupted stiches. RESULTS: Mean CPB and cross-clamp times were 106 +/- 22 and 67 +/- 13 minutes, respectively. Extubation was carried out within the seventh postoperative hour. All patients returned to normal function within the first postoperative week. CONCLUSIONS: Totally endoscopic ASD closure can be carried out safely using robotic techniques with rapid postoperative recovery and an excellent cosmetic result.     

Alternative technique for repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect

A technique is described for closure of a sinus venosus atrial septal defect using a single patch held in place by sutures placed from outside the right atrium and underneath the superior vena cava. The superior vena cava does not require enlargement and potential damage to the artery to the sinoatrial node is avoided.     

Surgical repair of inferior sinus venosus atrial septal defect.

A 9-year-old girl presented for cardiac evaluation with symptoms of dyspena, fatigue, and cyanosis with exercise. Cardiac catheterization demonstrated an atrial septal defect; an anomalous right superior pulmonary vein was suspected but not confirmed. Operation disclosed anomalous drainage of the right superior and inferior pulmonary veins into the right atrium, an intact fossa ovalis, and an inferior sinus venosus defect. Repair was accomplished by detaching the posterior edge of the atrial septum and suturing it to the right of the pulmonary veins, so that the defect was closed and all the pulmonary venous blood was directed to the left atrium.     

Single-lung transplantation with atrial septal defect repair for Eisenmenger's syndrome

Heart-lung transplantation has been used successfully for patients with pulmonary vascular disease but its application has been very limited due to the scarcity of donors. We report a patient with Eisenmenger's syndrome who underwent right single-lung transplantation with closure of atrial septal defect; postoperative convalescence was uneventful. Serial magnetic resonance imaging examinations demonstrate improved right heart function.     

Totally endoscopic atrial septal repair in adults with computer-enhanced telemanipulation

OBJECTIVE: Standard surgical closure of an atrial septal defect via sternotomy is a safe and effective procedure with low morbidity and mortality. Considering that young female patients are frequently operated on for atrial septal defects, a minimally invasive procedure avoiding sternotomy is convincingly desirable and led to the approach through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy. The recent clinical introduction of robotically assisted surgery further reduced skin incisions and enabled totally endoscopic procedures through ports. This article reports on a first series of atrial septal defect closures of which the first case was operated on August 24, 1999, in a totally endoscopic closed chest technique using a computer-enhanced telemanipulation system. METHODS: We performed totally endoscopic atrial septal repair using the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, Calif) in 10 consecutive adult patients. Median age was 45.5 +/- 10.0 years, and preoperative New York Heart Association functional class was 1.8 +/- 0.1. Left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in all patients and mean pulmonary artery pressure amounted to 35 +/- 7 mm Hg. Shunt volume ranged from 24% to 70%. All patients displayed a fossa ovalis type of atrial septal defect; 2 of them multiperforated. RESULTS: Neither intraoperative nor postoperative complications occurred. Two patients had to be converted to minithoracotomy due to endoaortic balloon clamp failure. Length of operation was 262 +/- 37 minutes, and cardiopulmonary bypass time was 161 +/- 26 minutes. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography certified complete closure of the atrial septal defect in all patients. The totally endoscopic computer-enhanced technique yielded excellent cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: Totally endoscopic atrial septal repair is a feasible and safe procedure with good clinical results and excellent cosmetic outcomes. It may be considered as perfect adjunct to interventional treatment options. Further studies with larger cohorts and randomized trials are necessary to document potential benefits. Evolution in robotic technology and refinement of procedural flow may shorten procedural time and decrease costs.