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Robotic surgery for intracardiac pathologies in children is relatively uncommon. This study presents our initial experience with robotic-assisted cardiac surgery in children. We also present the feasibility and safety of robotic surgery in children. From May 2013 to June 2018, 30 children underwent totally endoscopic robotic atrial septal defect closure (n = 22), right-sided (n = 5) or left-sided (n = 1) partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection repair, tricuspid valve annuloplasty (n = 4), and mitral valve replacement (n = 2, due to Barlow and rheumatic diseases). The mean age of the patients was 16.1 ± 1.1 years (range, 13-17) and the mean weight was 56.7 ± 0.1 kg (range, 42-77). Associated anomalies included left persistent superior vena cava (n = 2) and the absence of innominate vein (n = 1). All procedures were completed uneventfully. Operation time was 4.1 ± 0.6 h. No patient was converted to thoracotomy or sternotomy. Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping times were 90.6 ± 28.0 (range, 45-136) and 48.6 ± 24.9 (range, 15-94) min, respectively. The mean ventilation time was 3.7 ± 1.2 h and hospital stay time was 3.3 ± 0.7 days. No right phrenic nerve injury, hemorrhage, or blood transfusion were noted. One patient had postoperative pneumothorax, and 1 had supraventricular arrhythmia. Follow-up was a mean of 1.7 years (range, 1-52 months). Patients were healthy and no residual intracardiac defect was observed on echocardiography examinations. There was no operative or follow-up mortality. Robotically assisted cardiac surgery is a feasible and safe approach in selected pediatric patients. In the future, new generation robotic devices may offer an alternative surgical approach in cardiac surgery for younger children with lower body weight.

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Background: Transcatheter closure is the preferred method for atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. Robotic surgery has become the least invasive technique for ASD closure. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the outcomes in patients who underwent ASD closure with transcatheter or robotic surgery techniques.Methods: A total of 462 patients underwent totally endoscopic robotic (n = 217) or transcatheter ASD closure (n = 245). Demographic data, perioperative data, and outcomes were compared.Results: The mean age was lower in the robotic surgery group than the transcatheter group (31.4 ± 11.8 vs 39.4 ± 13.2 years; P = .001). Ventilation time, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay was significantly lower in the transcatheter group. The postoperative new-onset neurological event was seen in one (0.5%) patient in robotic surgery, and four (1.6%) patients in the transcatheter closure group.New-onset atrial fibrillation was found to be higher in transcatheter closure (two vs seven patients; P = .133) group. Surgical conversion to a larger incision occurred in two patients (1%) in robotic surgery, while two patients (0.5%) underwent emergency median sternotomy due to device embolization to the main pulmonary artery.There was no mortality in both groups. During follow-up, one patient (0.5%) who underwent robotic surgery was reoperated, and two patients (0.8%) who underwent transcatheter procedure required surgical intervention due to device migration and severe residual shunting (P = .635).Conclusion: Both transcatheter and robotic surgery approaches had excellent outcomes but transcatheter closure had shorter hospital and ICU stays. Robotic surgery provides a similar complication risk that can be comparable to the transcatheter approach as well as patient comfort and cosmetic advantage over the other surgical techniques. K E Y W O R D Satrial septal defect, minimally invasive, robotic surgery, transcatheter

Background: In this study, we present our single-center experience in robotically-assisted endoscopic surgery versus conventional median sternotomy approach in patients undergoing cardiac myxoma excision. Methods: Between January 2011 and September 2019, a total of 46 patients (24 males, 22 females; mean age 54.1±12.5 years; range, 25 to 79 years) who had a confirmed diagnosis of isolated cardiac myxoma were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as those undergoing robotic-assisted surgery (n=16) and those undergoing conventional median sternotomy (n=30). Clinical characteristics, operative, and postoperative outcomes were compared. Robotic approach to right or left-sided tumors and postoperative pain scores were also analyzed. Results: There was no mortality or major complication. No conversion to sternotomy was needed in robotic procedures. The mean cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times were significantly shorter in the median sternotomy group (p=0.001 for both). The mean ventilation time and the length of hospital stay were significantly shorter in robotic surgery than sternotomy group (p=0.043 and p=0.048, respectively). The mean amount of postoperative blood loss and transfusion rate were significantly lower in robotic surgery patients (p=0.001 and p=0.022, respectively). The mean postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in patients undergoing robotic surgery (p=0.022). Conclusion: Robotic-assisted endoscopic surgery can be performed safely and effectively for cardiac myxoma excision with shorter hospital stay, less pain, and less amount of blood product use, as well as more favorable cosmetic results compared to conventional median sternotomy.

Complications after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure such as residual shunting or device-related events are generally treated using conventional sternotomy or thoracotomy incisions. In these cases, minimally invasive approaches including mini-sternotomy, mini-thoracotomy or endoscopic techniques can also be used in the management of complications, residual defects and concomitant procedures. However, robotic surgery is a reasonable alternative for removal of septal occluder devices and concomitant repair procedures to prevent cardiopulmonary morbidities. Herein, we report an adult, who underwent a totally endoscopic robotic removal of septal occluder device, closure of septal defect with autologous pericardial patch and tricuspid valve annuloplasty through a right atriotomy approach.

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of robotically assisted, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery combined with left atrial reduction for mitral valve surgery and elimination of atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods Eleven patients with severe mitral regurgitation, AF, and left atrial enlargement who underwent robotic, minimally invasive surgery between May 2013 and March 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. The da Vinci robotic system was used in all procedures. The patients’ demographic data, electrocardiography (ECG) findings, and pre- and postoperative transthoracic echocardiography findings were analyzed. During follow up ECG was performed at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months additionally at the 3 rd month trans thoracic echocardiography was performed and functional capacity was also evaluated for all patients. Results All patients underwent robotic-assisted mitral valve surgery with radiofrequency ablation and left atrial reduction. Mean age was 45.76±16.61 years; 7 patients were male and 4 were female. Preoperatively, mean left atrial volume index (LAVI) was 69.55±4.87 mL/m 2 , ejection fraction (EF) was 54.62±8.27%, and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) was 45.75±9.42 mmHg. Postoperatively, in hospital evaluation LAVI decreased to 48.01±4.91 mL/m 2 ( P =0.008), EF to 50.63±10.13% ( P >0.05), and PAP to 39.02±3.11 mmHg ( P =0.012). AF was eliminated in 8 (72%) of the 11 patients at the 1 st postoperative month. There were significant improvements in functional capacity and no mortality during follow-up. Conclusion Left atrial reduction and radiofrequency ablation concomitant with robotically assisted minimally invasive mitral valve surgery can be performed safely and effectively to eliminate AF and prevent recurrence.

A 32-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea and fatigue. He had a history of aortic valve replacement and a simultaneous Nicks procedure 4 years earlier because of a small aortic root and aortic regurgitation. Results of laboratory tests such as leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were normal. Blood cultures were sterile. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiography detected a systolic jet flow on the anterior mitral leaflet and perforation (Figs 1A-1D [Ao ¼ aorta; Fig 1.