Robotic cardiac surgery in Brazil.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Medical Technology Innovation

Background:

• Brazil is a key player in South American medical technology development.
• Robotic cardiac surgery (RCS) has seen rapid advancement since 2010.
• The DaVinci® robotic system was first used in Latin America in 2010.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short- and mid-term results of robotic cardiac surgery in Brazil.
• To assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of RCS for diverse cardiac pathologies.

Main Methods:

• A consecutive series of 39 patients underwent RCS between March 2010 and December 2015.
• Procedures included mitral valve surgery, atrial fibrillation treatment, septal defect closure, tumor resection, coronary artery bypass, and pericardiectomy.
• Patient demographics included a mean age of 51.3 years and mean ejection fraction of 62%.

Main Results:

• Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 154.9 minutes; aortic cross-clamp time was 114.48 minutes.
• 82% of patients were extubated in the operating room; median ICU and hospital stays were 1 and 5 days, respectively.
• No conversions to sternotomy or intra-operative complications occurred; 100% follow-up with two early, unrelated deaths and no re-operations.

Conclusions:

• RCS is a feasible, safe, and effective option for various cardiac conditions in Brazil.
• Challenges to RCS adoption in Brazil include limited clinical application, lack of specific training, and high technology costs.