title: Robotically assisted coronary artery bypass grafting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It remains uncertain as to whether robotically assisted coronary bypass surgery (RACBS) is superior to non-robotic procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS. Two review authors independently screened citations, assessed trial quality and performed data extraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three trials met the inclusion criteria. None was randomized. Compared with non-robotic approaches, RACBS was associated with longer surgical times, shorter intensive care unit and hospital stays, higher extubation rates and lower odds for atrial fibrillation as well as myocardial infarction. There were no differences for the odds of stroke and mortality between the interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although robotic-assisted coronary bypass appears to be promising, the study designs were not adequate and may have a high risk of selection bias. There is a need for randomized trials to corroborate the findings and to determine the long-term benefits of RACBS compared with traditional surgical approaches.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Alemao Oswaldo Cruz, Institute of Health Education and Research, Brazil.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Buehler
authors.affiliation: Hospital Alemao Oswaldo Cruz, Institute of Health Education and Research, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cleusa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.affiliation: Hospital Alemao Oswaldo Cruz, Institute of Health Education and Research, Brazil.
authors.forename: Uri A P
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Flato
authors.affiliation: Hospital Alemao Oswaldo Cruz, Institute of Health Education and Research, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jefferson G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Fernandes
mesh_terms: D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015983:Selection Bias
keywords: coronary artery disease; meta-analysis; robotic-assisted or robotically assisted surgery; systematic review