机器人二尖瓣成形术的临床应用

目的 总结机器人二尖瓣成形术的临床应用,以评估其安全性及有效性.方法 自2007年1月至2011年4月,对60例患者行机器人二尖瓣成形术,其中男性42例,女性18例;年龄14～70岁,平均年龄(44±13)岁.14例患者术前合并心房颤动.术前心功能(NYHA分级)Ⅰ～Ⅱ级48例,Ⅲ级12例.股动静脉及右侧颈内静脉插管建立心肺转流.于右侧胸壁经肋间插入3个直径为0.8 cm的器械臂,并于第4肋间打1个直径为1.5 cm的工作孔.术者于操作台前、三维成像系统下遥控微创器械完成二尖瓣成形术.术中经食管超声引导建立心肺转流并评估手术效果,术后常规进行随访.结果 平均心肺转流时间(132 ±30)min,主动脉阻断时间(88±22)min.1例患者术后出现重度溶血,再次手术行生物瓣置换后治愈.无手术死亡及中转开放手术.平均随访(16±9)个月,2例患者术后存在轻度反流.结论 达芬奇机器人二尖瓣成形术安全有效,手术效果良好.而且手术视野清晰,结构暴露好,是可供选择的良好微创术式.

Abstract：

Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of robotic mitral valve repair using da Vinci S Surgical system.Method From January 2007 to April 2011,over 400 cases of robotic cardiac surgery have been performed,in which 60 patients with isolated mitral valve insufficiency underwent robotic mitral valve repair,including 42 male and 18 female patients with a mean age of(44 ±13)years(ranging from 14 to 70 years).Forty-eight patients were in NYHA class Ⅰ-Ⅱ and 12 patients in class Ⅲ.Fourteen patients were concomitant with atiral fibrillation.Surgery approach was achieved through 4 right chest ports with femoral perfusion and Chitwood aortic occlusion.Antegrade cold blood cardioplegia was administered directly via chest for myocardial protection.The transesophageal echocardiography was used intraoperatively to estimate the surgical results.Results All patients had successful valve repair including quadrangular resections,sliding plasties and chordal replacement.There was no conversion to median sternotomy.The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and arrested heart time were(132 ±30)min and(88±22)min.One patient had hemolysis after operation,and required mitral valve replacement Echocardiographic follow-up revealed trace to mild regurgitation in 2 patients with a mean of(16±9)months.Conclusion Robotic mitral valve repair is safe and efficacious in the patients with isolated mitral valve insufficiency.     

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair using the da Vinci robotic system

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive mitral valve repair with a shortened hospital stay and quick return to an active lifestyle is the ultimate goal for robotically assisted surgery. We evaluated our da Vinci robotically assisted mitral valve repair experience toward achieving this goal. METHODS: All procedures were performed with peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass, transthoracic aortic cross-clamp, and antegrade cardioplegia. Two ports and a 4-cm intercostal incision in the right chest were used for access. All patients had a ring annuloplasty, and all but 1 had a posterior leaflet resection. The entire repair and all knot tying were performed robotically. RESULTS: Between October 2001 and October 2002, 25 patients (18 men) underwent robotic mitral valve repair. The mean age was 56 years (range, 37 to 81 years). There were no incisional conversions, deaths, strokes, or reoperations for bleeding. Twenty-one (84%) of 25 patients were extubated in the operating room. Overall mean study times were as follows: procedure, 199.7 minutes (range, 140 to 287 minutes); cardiopulmonary bypass, 126.6 minutes (range, 89 to 186 minutes); and cross-clamp, 87.7 minutes (range, 58 to 143 minutes). Eight (32%) patients were discharged home in less than 24 hours, with an average length of stay of 2.7 days. Comparing the first 10 patients to the last 15 there was a significant reduction of times: total operating room time, 318.5 versus 275.1 minutes; cross-clamp, 97.6 versus 81.1 minutes; leaflet resection or repair, 26.2 versus 15.6 minutes; annuloplasty ring, 31.9 versus 24.8 minutes; and length of stay, from 4.2 days to 1.67 days. Five patients had postoperative atrial fibrillation. Two (8%) patients ultimately required mitral valve replacement for recurrent mitral insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Mitral valve repair can be successfully performed with the da Vinci robotic system. Long-term follow-up is needed to determine the durability of the repair compared with a standard sternotomy approach.     

Robotic mitral valve surgery: a United States multicenter trial

OBJECTIVE: In a prospective phase II Food and Drug Administration trial, robotic mitral valve repairs were performed in 112 patients at 10 centers by using the da Vinci surgical system. The safety of performing valve repairs with computerized telemanipulation was studied. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, informed consent was obtained. Patients had moderate to severe mitral regurgitation. Operative technique included peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass, a 4- to 5-cm right minithoracotomy, a transthoracic aortic crossclamp, and antegrade cardioplegia. The successful study end point was grade 0 or 1 mitral regurgitation by transthoracic echocardiography at 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: Valve repairs included quadrangular resections, sliding plasties, edge-to-edge approximations, and both chordal transfers and replacements. The average age was 56.4 +/- 0.09 years (mean +/- SEM). There were 77 (68.8%) men and 35 (31.2%) women. Valve pathology was myxomatous degeneration in 105 (91.1%), and 103 (92.0%) had type II leaflet prolapse. Leaflet repair times averaged 36.7 +/- 0.2 minutes, with annuloplasty times of 39.6 +/- 0.1 minutes. Total robot, aortic crossclamp, and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 77.9 +/- 0.3 minutes, 2.1 +/- 0.1 hours, and 2.8 +/- 0.1 hours, respectively. On 1-month transthoracic echocardiography, 9 (8.0%) had grade 2 mitral regurgitation, and 6 (5.4%) of these had reoperations (5 replacements and 1 repair). There were no deaths, strokes, or device-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple surgical teams performed robotic mitral valve repairs safely early in development of this procedure, with a reoperation rate of 5.4%. Advancements in robotic design and adjunctive technologies may help in the evolution of this minimally invasive technique by decreasing operative times.     

Mitral valve repair robotic versus sternotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Robotically assisted mitral valve repair were compared with sternotomy mitral valve repair. Prospectively we evaluated safety and efficacy in performing simple mitral repairs. METHODS: Between February 2004 and September 2005, 25 patients with posterior leaflet insufficiency underwent mitral valve repair using the da Vinci system. They were matched retrospectively with 25 patients who underwent the same repair via a median sternotomy. The minimal invasive repairs were performed with peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass, transthoracic aortic cross-clamp, and antegrade cardioplegia. Repair was performed with two ports and a 4-cm intercostals lateral incision in the right chest for access. All patients had posterior leaflet resection and placement of a ring annuloplasty. RESULTS: All patients had successful valve repairs. There were no deaths. There was one conversion to an extended thoracotomy in the minimal invasive group due to a bleeder on the left atrial appendage. Overall mean study times showed a longer aortic cross-clamp (range, 96.1 min vs 69.6 min) and cardiopulmonary bypass (range, 122.1 min vs 85.7 min) for the minimal invasive group. Length of stay was less for the minimal group (7 days vs 9 days). At postoperative echocardiography two patients in both group developed 2+ mitral regurgitations. All other patients had a competent mitral valve repair with no insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Simple mitral valve repair can be successfully performed with the da Vinci robotic system. This approach is as safe as a sternotomy and long-term follow-up is needed to determine the durability of the mini invasive repair.     

Robotic mitral valve repair: experience with the da Vinci system

BACKGROUND: As part of a Food and Drug Administration trial, mitral repairs were performed in 38 patients using the robotic da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc, Mountain View, CA). Prospectively, we evaluated safety and efficacy in performing both simple and complex mitral repairs. METHODS: Eligible patients had nonischemic moderate to severe mitral insufficiency. Operative techniques included peripheral cardiopulmonary perfusion, a 4- to 5-cm mini-thoracotomy, transthoracic aortic occlusion, and antegrade blood cardioplegia. Transesophageal echocardiograms were done intraoperatively with three-dimensional reconstructions. Successful repairs were defined as mild or less residual regurgitation. RESULTS: Enhanced three-dimensional visualization of mitral leaflets and the subvalvar apparatus allowed safe, dexterous intracardiac tissue manipulation. All patients had successful valve repairs including quadrangular resections, sliding plasties, and edge-to-edge approximations, as well as both chordal transfers and replacements. There were no operative deaths, strokes, or device-related complications. One patient required valve replacement for hemolysis and 1 was reexplored for bleeding. There were no incisional conversions. Both robotic repair and total operating times decreased significantly from 1.9 +/- 0.1 and 5.1 +/- 0.1 hours (mean +/- standard error of the mean) for the first 19 patients to 1.5 +/- 0.1 (p = 0.002) and 4.4 +/- 0.1 hours (p = 0.04) for the last 19 operations, respectively. Total hospital length of stay for patients was 3.8 +/- 0.6 days. Of all patients, 31 (82%) had a 4-day or less length of stay. Seven patients (18%) had stays between 5 and 9 days (6.4 +/- 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc) has few limitations in performing complex valve repairs. Articulated wrist-like instruments and three-dimensional visualization enabled precise tissue telemanipulation. Future robotic design advances and adjunctive suture technologies may promote continuing evolution of robotic cardiac operations.     

Current status of endoscopic and robotic mitral valve surgery

Doctor C. Walton Lillehei and his colleagues set a standard for innovation and new technology development in cardiac surgery. Robotic mitral valve surgery has taken a similar translational course proffered by Lillehei. We evaluated 341 video-assisted and 100 da Vinci robotic mitral repairs done at East Carolina University between 1996 and 2004. The 30-day mortality was 2.2% and 1% for the video-assisted and robotic series, respectively. Complex anterior and posterior leaflet repairs were performed in both cohorts. Repair results were excellent. For the da Vinci group there was a clear learning curve, with repair, perfusion, and aortic cross-clamp times falling significantly (p < 0.05). This reports suggests that robotic and endoscopic minimally invasive mitral surgery could evolve to become the standard of care.     

The Leipzig experience with robotic valve surgery

OBJECTIVES: The study describes the single-center experience using robot-assisted videoscopic mitral valve surgery and the early results with a remote telemanipulator-assisted approach for mitral valve repair. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Out of a series of 230 patients who underwent minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, in 167 patients surgery was performed with the use of robotic assistance. A voice-controlled robotic arm was used for videoscopic guidance in 152 cases. Most recently, a computer-enhanced telemanipulator was used in 15 patients to perform the operation remotely. RESULTS: The mitral valve was repaired in 117 and replaced in all other patients. The voice-controlled robotic arm (AESOP 3000) facilitated videoscopic-assisted mitral valve surgery. The procedure was completed without the need for an additional assistant as "solo surgery." Additional procedures like radiofrequency ablation and tricuspid valve repair were performed in 21 and 4 patients, respectively. Duration of bypass and clamp time was comparable to conventional procedures (107 A 34 and 50 A 16 min, respectively). Hospital mortality was 1.2%. Using the da Vinci telemanipulation system, remote mitral valve repair was successfully performed in 13 of 15 patients. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted less invasive mitral valve surgery has evolved to a reliable technique with reproducible results for primary operations and for reoperations. Robotic assistance has enabled a solo surgery approach. The combination with radiofrequency ablation (Mini Maze) in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation has proven to be beneficial. The use of telemanipulation systems for remote mitral valve surgery is promising, but a number of problems have to be solved before the introduction of a closed chest mitral valve procedure.     

全机器人心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补术

目的 总结使用"达芬奇S"(da Vinci S)机器人手术系统,心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补或房间隔缺损修补+三尖瓣成形术的经验体会.方法 2009年3月至2010年12月,使用da Vinic S机器人系统,心脏不停跳下完成继发孔型房间隔缺损修补或房间隔缺损修补+三尖瓣成形术40例.患者女23例,男17例;年龄平均(38±13)岁.房间隔缺损直径为1.5～3.5 cm,平均(2.8±1.3)cm,无右向左分流,伴有或不伴有三尖瓣重度关闭不全.手术经股动、静脉及右侧颈内静脉插管建立体外循环.于右侧胸壁打直径为0.8 cm的器械臂孔3个,直径为2 cm工作孔1个,术中不阻断升主动脉,经内窥镜套管持续给予二氧化碳,心脏跳动下,术者于操作台前遥控机器人进行房间隔缺损修补,三尖瓣重度关闭不全患者同期行三尖瓣成形术.其中直接缝合房间隔缺损22例,心包补片修补房间隔缺损18例,同期三尖瓣成形9例.术中食管超声评估修补及三尖瓣成形效果.对比不停跳与心脏停跳下全机器人房间隔缺损修补术的手术时间及体外循环时间.结果 所有患者均成功接受全机器人心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补术或房间隔缺损修补+三尖瓣成形术,无体循环气体栓子及残余分流等并发症.不停跳组的手术时间、机器人使用时间或体外循环时间少于停跳组.结论 机器人心脏不停跳下房间隔缺损修补术无需阻断升主动脉,简化了全机器人手术过程,手术效果安全可靠.

Abstract：

Objective To Summary the first 40 cases underwent robotic atrial septal defect (ASD) closure or atrial septal defect closure combined bicuspid valve plasty (TVP) using "da Vinci S" surgical System on beating heart. Methods 40 cases of atrial septal defect or combined sever tricuspid valve regurgitation were repaired using "da Vinic S" surgical system on beating heart from March 2009 to December 2010 in cardiovascular department of PLA general hospital. The average age was (38 ± 13) yeas old. 23 cases were female and 17 cases were male. All patients were ostium atrial septal defect with or without pulmonary hypertension. The atrial defect diameter was 1.5 -3.5 cm, and the mean diameter was(2. 8 ±1.3)cm. 9 patients had sever tricuspid valve regurgitation. Without sternotomy, the extracorporeal circulation was established through groin artery,groin vein and internal jugular vein cannulation with the guidance of transeophageal echocardiography. 3 ports of 8 mm and 1 working port of 2 cm were made in the right chest wall. After "da Vinci S" syetem was set up, with the assistant of bed-side surgeon, the surgeon completed the atrial septal defect closure or combined tricuspid valve plasty in the surgeon console with three dimensions visualization. During the operation, without cardioplegia administrated and aortic occlusion, the procedure was completed through right atriotomy. The pleural space was insufflated with carbon dioxide to avoid the air embolism. The direct suturing was used in 22 cases and pericardial patch were used in 18 cases. 9 patients accepted concurrent De Vega tricuspid valve plasty. The transesophageal echocardiography were used to evaluate the result of atrial defect closure or tricuspid valve repair. The operation time, robotic using time and cardiopulmonary time were compared with totally robotic atrial defect repair in arrested heart. Results All cases were accomplished successfully without complication. There was no residual shunt and air embolism. The operation time, robotic using time and cardiopulmonary time were less than the arrested group. Conclusion Robotic atrial septal defect closure or combined tricuspid valve repair on beating heart can avoid aortic ocllusion and can be utilized effectively and safely.     

Early experience with robotic aortic valve replacement.

We report our initial experience with aortic valve replacement using robotic assistance. All procedures were performed with peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass, transthoracic aortic cross-clamp, and antegrade cold crystalloid cardioplegia. One or two ports and a 5-cm intercostal incision in the right chest were used for access. All patients had aortic valve replacement performed robotically. Between February and September 2004, five patients underwent robotic aortic valve replacement. The mean age was 59 years (range 35-82 years). There were no incisional conversions, death, stokes, or reoperations for bleeding. Overall mean study times were as follows: procedure, 231.2 min (range 180-315 min); cardiopulmonary bypass, 121.5 min (range 83-173 min), and cross-clamp, 98.2 min (range 67-140 min). One patient developed postoperative pneumonia. Aortic valve replacement can be successfully performed with the da Vinci robotic system.     

机器人微创二尖瓣置换术

目的 总结机器人二尖瓣置换术的临床应用,以评估其安全性及有效性.方法 2008年6月至2011年4月,20例患者接受机器人二尖瓣置换术,男7例,女13例;年龄32～65岁,平均(44.7±9.8)岁.术前心功能Ⅰ～Ⅱ级16例,Ⅲ级4例.15例合并房颤.股动、静脉及右侧颈内静脉插管建立体外循环.右侧胸壁打直径为0.8cm的器械臂孔3个,直径为1.5～2.5cm工作孔1个,术者于三维成像系统下遥控微创器械完成二尖瓣置换.术中食管超声引导建立体外循环并评估手术效果.术后常规进行随访.结果 无手术死亡及术中术式转化.机器人二尖瓣置换平均体外循环(137.1±21.9)min,主动脉阻断(99.3±17.4)min.随访(12.1±6.6)个月,未见瓣周漏等并发症.结论 机器人系统可安全、有效地完成二尖瓣置换,术后近期效果良好.     

Robotically-assisted left atrial fibrillation ablation and mitral valve repair through a right mini-thoracotomy

A combined robotic-assisted left atrial ablation and mitral valve repair was done through a 5-cm right anterior mini-thoracotomy. The patient was a 54-year-old man with severe mitral regurgitation and a 10-month history of persistent atrial fibrillation. The patient underwent off-pump, beating heart epicardial peripulmonary vein microwave ablation using the FLEX 10 catheter (AFx Inc, Fremont, CA), followed by supplemental on-pump endocardial lesions. The procedure was done using the da Vinci surgical robot (Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale, CA). The mitral valve repair consisted of a No. 38 Cosgrove annuloplasty band implantation (Edwards Life Sciences, LLC, Irvine, CA). The postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient maintained normal sinus rhythm.     

改良机器人手术方式行房间隔缺损修补术22例

目的 总结使用“达芬奇”（da Vinci S）机器人手术系统行体外循环下房间隔缺损修补或房间隔缺损修补＋三尖瓣成形术的经验体会.方法 2013年7月至2013年10月回顾性研究,使用da Vinic S机器人系统,体外循环下完成继发孔型房间隔缺损修补或房间隔缺损修补＋三尖瓣成形术22例.患者女16例,男6例;年龄平均（36.5±5.8）岁.房间隔缺损直径为2.5～4.1 cm,平均（3.8±1.3）cm,左向右分流,2例伴有三尖瓣中度关闭不全,2例伴有右侧胸膜腔部分粘连.手术经股动、静脉插管,于右侧胸壁打3个孔,采用我院成熟全腔镜心脏手术技术建立体外循环,阻断升主动脉,切开右心房后,再连接机器人手术系统,术者于操作台前遥控机器臂进行房间隔缺损修补,三尖瓣中度关闭不全患者同期行三尖瓣成形术.其中直接缝合房间隔缺损20例,补片修补房间隔缺损2例,同期三尖瓣成形及胸膜粘连松解各2例.结果 22例均成功接受机器人房间隔缺损修补术或房间隔缺损修补＋三尖瓣成形术,手术时间1.5 ～ 3.5 h,平均（2.3±0.6）h;后10例手术时间体外循环（58.6±18.3） min,升主动脉阻断（26.8±8.6） min,术后呼吸机辅助（5.8±1.6）h.胸液引流量50 ～ 300 ml,平均（150±32） ml,平均1～2d拔除胸腔闭式引流管.术后住院时间（5.6±1.4）d.均无中转开胸、院内死亡及术后并发症发生.全组术后3～5d超声心动图示手术效果满意,患者均顺利出院.随访1个月～3个月,无残余分流,下肢静脉血栓形成,心功能均为Ⅰ级,超声心动图检查结果满意.结论 改良达芬奇S机器人手术方式体外循环下房缺修补术安全可靠,疗效满意,且进一步缩短手术时间,创伤小、恢复快,具有良好的发展前景.     

Neochordal repair of the posterior mitral leaflet

BACKGROUND: Myxomatous mitral valve insufficiency is traditionally repaired by posterior leaflet quadrangular resection and reconstruction. A simplified repair technique without leaflet resection is described, and our initial experience is reviewed. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with significant mitral regurgitation underwent repair since January 2000 by placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene sutures between the leading (coapting) edge of the posterior leaflet and the corresponding papillary muscle. An annuloplasty ring was placed, and no leaflet tissue was resected. Patient medical records were obtained and retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-five men and 14 women (median age, 61 years; range, 40-88 years) had their mitral valve repaired by a variety of surgical approaches, including robotic (18 patients), right thoracotomy (6 patients), and sternal (15 patients). Three patients have required valve replacement: 1 at the initial operation, 1 because of dehiscence of the annuloplasty ring, and 1 after subsequent rupture of a previously normal native chorda. At follow-up (median, 12 months), 92% (33/36) of the remaining patients had an intact mitral repair with no to mild regurgitation, 8.3% (3/36) of patients had moderate regurgitation, and 92% of all patients (36/39) were in New York Heart Association class I. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Myxomatous mitral regurgitation due to posterior leaflet insufficiency can be repaired without leaflet resection by placement of neochordae. This repair technique is effective and is readily accomplished by traditional and minimally invasive surgical approaches.     

Computer-enhanced "robotic" cardiac surgery: experience in 148 patients

OBJECTIVE: A computer-enhanced instrumentation system was used in 148 patients to minimize access in cardiac surgical procedures. METHODS: The da Vinci telemanipulation system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, Calif) provides a high-resolution 3-dimensional videoscopic image and allows remote, tremor-free, and scaled control of endoscopic surgical instruments with 6 degrees of freedom. By April 2000, the system had been used in 131 patients for coronary artery bypass grafting and 17 patients for mitral valve repair. In the coronary bypass group, the system was used in one of three ways: (1) to take down the internal thoracic artery followed by a minimally invasive direct coronary bypass procedure (n = 81); (2) to perform the anastomosis between the internal thoracic artery and the left anterior descending coronary artery in standard-sternotomy coronary bypass (n = 15); or (3) for total endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting to anastomose the left internal thoracic artery to the left anterior descending on the arrested heart (n = 27) or the beating heart (n = 8). In 17 patients with nonischemic mitral valve insufficiency the mitral valve was repaired. Closed-chest cardiopulmonary bypass with cardioplegic arrest (Port-Access technique; Heartport, Inc, Redwood City, Calif) was used for arrested-heart total endoscopic coronary bypass and mitral valve repair. RESULTS: The da Vinci system allows for precise tissue handling and enables the endoscopic performance of cardiac surgical tasks that require a high degree of dexterity (coronary anastomosis, mitral valve repair). No technical mishaps have occurred. The internal thoracic artery was successfully taken down in 79 of 81 patients in the group undergoing minimally invasive coronary bypass and, after a steep learning curve, is currently performed in less than 40 minutes. The postoperative patency rate is 96.3%. Total endoscopic coronary bypass was completed in 22 of 27 cases with 95.4% patency as demonstrated by angiography at 3 months' follow-up. Closed-chest endoscopic beating-heart bypass grafting was successfully performed in 2 out of 8 patients with the use of a new endoscopic stabilizer. In the group having mitral valve repair, primary endoscopic computer-enhanced repair was successfully completed in 14 of 17 patients; three others had to be changed to a standard endoscopic technique, including 1 who required valve replacement. At 3 months' follow-up, 1 additional patient underwent early reoperation for recurrent mitral insufficiency. Overall early and late mortality in this cohort of 148 patients was 2.0% and was not related to the use of the system. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, computer-enhanced endoscopic cardiac surgery can be performed safely in selected patients. Internal thoracic artery takedown is now routinely performed with good results. Total endoscopic coronary bypass is feasible on the arrested heart but does not offer a major benefit over the minimally invasive direct approach because cardiopulmonary bypass is still required. The early clinical experience with closed-chest beating-heart bypass grafting outlines the limitations of this approach despite some procedural success.     

Robotic mitral valve repair in a type B hemophiliac

Hemophilia B is a rare X-linked recessive disorder that places surgical patients at an increased risk of bleeding. Patients with hemophilia are now achieving near-normal life expectancies and therefore the number of these patients requiring cardiac surgery due to the development of age-related cardiovascular disease may increase. We present the case of a young male with hemophilia B who was diagnosed with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation and underwent successful robotic mitral valve repair. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with hemophilia B who underwent robotic mitral valve repair.     

Midterm outcome of mitral valve repair for congenital mitral regurgitation in infants and children

We analyzed the midterm results of children undergoing mitral valve repair without the use of prosthetic materials focusing on mitral annulus growth. From 1991 to 2004, 17 children (median age: 11 months) underwent mitral valve repair (grade III=9, IV=8). Regurgitation was due to prolapsed leaflet in 8 patients, annular dilatation in 4, and restrictive leaflet motion in 5. Preoperative indexed mitral valve diameter and Z-value were compared with those obtained at follow-up. There were no early or late deaths. All patients had an improved regurgitation grade after surgery. MV repair resulted in reduction in the indexed mitral valve diameter (58.2+/-22.9 vs. 47.3+/-18.9 mm/m2, P<0.05) and Z-value (3.3+/-2.3 vs. 0.79+/-2.2, P<0.05). One patient underwent re-repair, but no patients required mitral valve replacement during the median follow-up period of 95 months. The latest regurgitation grade was absent or I in 4 patients, II in 10 patients, and III in 3 patients. Mitral valve annulus increased by 23% at 3 years and by 49% at 5 years compared with that at surgery. Mitral valve repair without the use of prosthetic materials is feasible for the majority of patients and carries an appropriate growth pattern of the mitral valve annulus after surgery.     

Robotic excision of atrial myxoma

Abstract Background: Advances in optics and instrumentation with the da Vinci S Surgical System have facilitated minimally invasive and robotic cardiac procedures including mitral valve repair and atrial myxoma excision. We report our retrospective data comparing robotically assisted myxoma excision with standard median sternotomy excision. Methods: Data were collected for cardiac myxoma resection performed between January 2000 and December 2009. The resulting cohort included a total of 57 patients. These patients were grouped into two categories: robotic‐assisted (n = 17) surgical procedures and traditional (nonrobotic; n = 40) surgical procedures. Presurgical and surgical risk factors were examined. Results: Univariate analysis comparing the surgical procedure groups and surgical risk factors found a significant difference in 3 of the 14 variables. Cannulation in all patients undergoing robotic‐assisted cardiac myxoma excision was performed through cannulating the common femoral artery and vein while cannulation for the traditional procedures was performed using the aorta and atrium except for two patients. For aortic occlusion, 14 of the robotic‐assisted cardiac myxoma patients had balloon occlusion and 34 of the traditional cardiac myxoma patients had aortic cross‐clamp occlusion. Operating time was significantly shorter for robotic cases (2.7 hours) compared with traditional cases (3.5 hours). Conclusion: Robotic excision of atrial myxomas is safe and may be an alternative to traditional open surgery in selected patients. (J Card Surg 2012;27:423‐426)     

Robotic surgical training in an academic institution

OBJECTIVE: To detail robotic procedure development and clinical applications for mitral valve, biliary, and gastric reflux operations, and to implement a multispecialty robotic surgery training curriculum for both surgeons and surgical teams. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Remote, accurate telemanipulation of intracavitary instruments by general and cardiac surgeons is now possible. Complex technologic advancements in surgical robotics require well-designed training programs. Moreover, efficient robotic surgical procedures must be developed methodically and safely implemented clinically. METHODS: Advanced training on robotic systems provides surgeon confidence when operating in tiny intracavitary spaces. Three-dimensional vision and articulated instrument control are essential. The authors' two da Vinci robotic systems have been dedicated to procedure development, clinical surgery, and training of surgical specialists. Their center has been the first United States site to train surgeons formally in clinical robotics. RESULTS: Established surgeons and residents have been trained using a defined robotic surgical educational curriculum. Also, 30 multispecialty teams have been trained in robotic mechanics and electronics. Initially, robotic procedures were developed experimentally and are described. In the past year the authors have performed 52 robotic-assisted clinical operations: 18 mitral valve repairs, 20 cholecystectomies, and 14 Nissen fundoplications. These respective operations required 108, 28, and 73 minutes of robotic telemanipulation to complete. Procedure times for the last half of the abdominal operations decreased significantly, as did the knot-tying time in mitral operations. There have been no deaths and few complications. One mitral patient had postoperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery can be performed safely with excellent results. The authors have developed an effective curriculum for training teams in robotic surgery. After training, surgeons have applied these methods effectively and safely.     

Switching robotic surgical systems does not impact surgical performance

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery is heavily dependent on the availability of, and innovation in, technology. As new robotic systems become available, it will be important to identify the impact of emerging technology on clinical outcomes in robotic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) procedures have been performed with robotic assistance (80 with Zeus and 60 with da Vinci). Data were collected regarding the robotic operative tasks performed, the robotic setup time, the robotic operative time, and the total operative time for all cases. RESULTS: The 60 patients who had a da Vinci LRYGB had a statistically lower body mass index, when compared to patients who underwent Zeus LRYGB (n = 80; P < 0.05). The groups were otherwise statistically similar. The set-up time required for the Zeus cases decreased quickly but increased significantly once the switch was made to da Vinci. The da Vinci set-up time then decreased significantly after the first 10 cases (P < 0.05). There was no demonstrable regression in the robotic operative time when the robotic system was changed to da Vinci. Total operative time temporarily increased during the first 10 da Vinci cases but then decreased significantly (P < 0.05). There were two intraoperative gastrojejunostomy (GJ) leaks in this series (one with each system). There were no anastomotic strictures at the robotic GJ or mortalities throughout this series. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the impact of robotic platform change should be minimal in an established program. Any regression in clinical efficacy should be short-lived and only minimally impact clinical performance and outcomes.     

Advanced experience allows robotic mitral valve repair in the presence of extensive mitral annular calcification

ObjectiveMitral annular calcification is underdiagnosed in patients with mitral regurgitation. After excision, it may require reconstruction of the atrioventricular groove and decreases the probability of valve repair. We reviewed the safety and efficacy of totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair in the presence of mitral annular calcification, with an emphasis on pathology and repair techniques.MethodsBetween May 2011 and August 2017, the same 2-surgeon team attempted totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair in 64 mitral annular calcification cases, accounting for 12.8% of our experience. Mitral annular calcification associated with a calcified posterior leaflet was not considered for totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair. When possible, the mitral annular calcification was excised en bloc using electrocautery, the posterior leaflet separated from the mitral annular calcification and spared, the atrioventricular groove was reconstructed, the posterior leaflet was reattached to the neoannulus, and the repair was completed with annuloplasty.ResultsThe median age of patients was 65 years, with 21 (32.8%) aged less than 60 years, and 34 (53.1%) were women. The etiology was Barlow's disease in 54 patients (84%). Repair was converted to replacement in 2 patients (3.1%). Cryoablation was performed in 8 patients (12.5%), hybrid percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 5 patients (7.8%), and tricuspid annuloplasty was performed in 2 patients (3.1%). Median aortic occlusion was 122 minutes, excluding cases with concomitant tricuspid repair. Thirty-three patients (52%) were extubated in the operating room. The median length of stay was 4 days. Residual mitral regurgitation on discharge transthoracic echocardiogram was none to mild in all patients. None of the patients had a perioperative stroke or needed a pacemaker. Thirty-day mortality was 2 (3.1%).ConclusionsMitral annular calcification is present in a significant percentage of patients with mitral regurgitation, especially in Barlow's disease, including younger patients. By using a variety of repair techniques, totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair can be performed safely and effectively in most mitral annular calcification cases with a noncalcified posterior leaflet.