Transpericardial Left Atrial/Left Ventricular Vent Placement During Robotic Mitral Surgery

Robotic mitral surgery is one of the most common robotic cardiac procedures being performed, which presents many benefits including smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, quicker recovery, decreased blood transfusion requirements for the patient, better exposure and better visualization of the mitral valve, and increased operative dexterity for the surgeon. As redo robotic mitral operations have increased in number, the use of atrial and ventricular sumps have also increased, especially during cases done under fibrillation. Our practical and easy-to-implement technique that consists of transpericardial atrial and ventricular vent placement during robotic mitral procedures may prevent dislodgement of the vents and may be beneficial to avoid important complications such as air embolisms and left ventricular distension resulting in subendocardial ischaemia.