title: Robot-assisted cardiac surgery using the da vinci surgical system: a single center experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report our initial experiences of robot-assisted cardiac surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2010 and March 2014, 50 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive robot-assisted cardiac surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Robot-assisted cardiac surgery was employed in two cases of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass, 17 cases of mitral valve repair, 10 cases of cardiac myxoma removal, 20 cases of atrial septal defect repair, and one isolated CryoMaze procedure. Average cardiopulmonary bypass time and average aorta cross-clamping time were 194.8±48.6 minutes and 126.1±22.6 minutes in mitral valve repair operations and 132.0±32.0 minutes and 76.1±23.1 minutes in myxoma removal operations, respectively. During atrial septal defect closure operations, the average cardiopulmonary bypass time was 128.3±43.1 minutes. The median length of stay was between five and seven days. The only complication was that one patient needed reoperation to address bleeding. There were no hospital mortalities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robot-assisted cardiac surgery is safe and effective for mitral valve repair, atrial septal defect closure, and cardiac myxoma removal surgery. Reducing operative time depends heavily on the experience of the entire robotic surgical team.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Eung Re
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Cheong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Sejong General Hospital.
authors.forename: Dong Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Jun Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Kay Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Robotics; Thoracic surgery