Endoscopic robotically-assisted mitral valve repair

Robotic surgical instrumentation allows minimally invasive mitral valve repair through an endoscopic approach, eliminating the need for a thoracotomy. Robotic instruments are inserted through port-like incisions in the right hemithorax, while cardiopulmonary bypass is established via cannulation of the femoral vessels. We describe triangular resection, a simple and reproducible robotically-assisted technique for repair of posterior leaflet prolapse. The repair is completed with insertion of an annuloplasty ring.