title: Robotic mitral surgery: current and future roles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cardiac surgery, like other surgical fields, is evolving to a more minimally invasive approach. Robotic technology now allows complex mitral valve repairs to be carried out via small incisions with complete avoidance of a sternotomy. The purpose of this review is to assess the current role of robotics in the repair of the mitral valve, and to speculate as to what advances may be forthcoming.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several groups have now confirmed that complex mitral valve repairs can be carried out robotically with early results comparable to open repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic mitral repair has become a reality. With further technological advancements and continued clinical experience, this may become the standard approach for mitral valvuloplasty.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, USA. andersoncu@ecu.edu
authors.forename: Curtis A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Alan P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kypson
authors.forename: W Randolph
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Chitwood
mesh_terms: D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D012371:Robotics / Q000639:trends