Robotic-assisted endoscopic atrial septal defect closure: analysis of 115 cases in a single center

To summarize the experience with the application of robotic technique in totally endoscopic atrial septal defect closure in a single center.

Between January 2007 and September 2011, 115 patients with the diagnosis of secundum type atrial septal defects underwent robotic atrial septal defect repair with the assistance of da Vinci surgical system. The patients had a median age of 35 years and a median defect diameter of 28 mm. Cardiopulmonary bypass was established via peripheral cannulation. Via three 8-mm ports and one 15-mm port in the right chest, the surgeon manipulated the microinstruments to complete the defect closure with or without tricuspid valve plasty. Echocardiography was performed intraoperatively, before discharge and at 30 days after the operation.

Atrial septal defect closure was completed on arrested heart in 44 patients and on beating heart in 61 patients. No deaths or conversions to alternate techniques occurred in these cases. No residual shunt was detected by intraoperative or postoperative echocardiography. The mean operating time and cardiopulmonary bypass time on bearing heart group were significantly shorter than those on arrested heart group. The median ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, drainage volume, or length of hospital stay showed no significant differences between the two groups.

Secundum type atrial septal defect closure can be successfully performed with the assistance of the robotic system with good surgical results.