[Our Experience and Technical Improvement in Robot-assisted Cardiac Surgery]

Since 2014, we have used the da Vinci surgical system to perform internal thoracic artery harvest in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), and since 2016, we have also performed robot-assisted cardiac surgery( RACS) for mitral and tricuspid valve surgery, left atrial thrombosis, and myxoma, all of which we have had performed as minimally invasive cardiac surgery( MICS) previously. Even after the introduction, different ideas (Chordalizer, COR-KNOT, special long CP cannula, de-air technique, etc.) were developed. As a result of the learning curve, more stable surgery could be performed. However, keeping in mind that RACS is only a means and not a purpose, the RACS indication should always be carefully considered. When problems, such as intracardiac manipulation or uncontrollable bleeding, occur, safe surgery must be decided to switch to normal thoracotomy as soon as possible. A further enhancement would be expected for even better results and expansion of the RACS indications.