Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass on the beating heart

Our aim was to develop a technique for totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass on the beating heart for patients with coronary artery disease. For this procedure, operations were performed through four thoracoports. The left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was harvested thoracoscopically. The pericardium was then opened and the left anterior descending artery (LAD) identified. The endoscopic stabiliser was inserted and transformed into a coiled ring shape. After suction, sufficient immobilisation of the LAD was achieved. The proximal snare was placed using a 5-0 Prolene suture to give a bloodless field. After blunt dissection of the coronary artery, an arteriotomy was performed with a sharp blade and enlarged with endoscopic Potts scissors. Using an endoscopic needle holder and forceps via two thoracoports at the fourth intracostal space, a conventional end-to-side anastomosis was safely created with an 8-0 Prolene single running suture. Total endoscopic beating-heart bypass grafting, including ITA harvest, stabilisation, arteriotomy and performance of the anastomosis, was performed successfully in three patients. There were no intraoperative arrhythmias, and no postoperative haemorrhage. The patients required no intensive care management postoperatively. All patients were ready for discharge on the fourth postoperative day. Postoperative angiogram revealed that anastomoses are patent. We conclude that the endoscopic stabiliser can sufficiently immobilise the heart to enable endoscopic beating-heart coronary artery bypass grafting by means of an easily controllable instrumentation system.