Head and neck reconstruction in the vessel depleted neck using robot-assisted harvesting of the internal mammary vessels.

We report a novel technique of robot-assisted harvesting of the internal mammary vessels to provide effective recipient vessels in a patient with bilateral vessel depleted neck (VDN). A 44-year-old with a Notani grade III osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the anterior mandible underwent robot-assisted (Da Vinci® Surgical System, Intuitive Surgical) harvesting of the left internal mammary vessels (LIMA, LIMV). Reconstruction of the mandibular defect was done with a virtually planned composite fibular free flap and microvascular anastomosis of the peroneal vessels to the LIMA and LIMV. Successful reconstruction of the anterior mandible was achieved with excellent recipient arterial diameter and length, devoid of any significant thoracic morbidities resulting from robot-assisted harvesting of the internal mammary vessels. Robot-assisted harvesting of internal mammary vessels is a viable alternative to an open approach. The advantages in tissue handling, vessel length, and favourable profile of complications may extend the indications for this otherwise 'niche' solution in the VDN.

Robotic mitral valve surgery.

Totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair is the least invasive surgical therapy for mitral valve disease. Robotic mitral valve surgery demonstrates faster recovery with shorter hospital stays, less morbidity, and equivalent mortality and mid-term durability compared to sternotomy. In this review, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of robotic mitral valve surgery and consider important technical details of both operative set-up and mitral valve repair techniques. The number of robotic cardiac surgical procedures being performed globally is expected to continue to rise as experience grows with robotic techniques and increasing numbers of cardiac surgeons become proficient with this innovative technology. This will be facilitated by the introduction of newer robotic systems and increasing patient demand.

Corrigendum: Robotic Cardiac Surgery in Europe: Status 2020.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.827515.].

Robotic mitral valve surgery: a review and tips for safely negotiating the learning curve.

Totally endoscopic robotic mitral valve repair represents the least invasive surgical therapy for mitral valve disease. Comparative results for robotic mitral valve surgery against sternotomy are impressive, repeatedly demonstrating shorter hospital stay, faster return to normal activities, less morbidity and equivalent mortality and mid-term durability. We lack data comparing robotic approaches to totally endoscopic minimally invasive mitral valve surgery using 3D vision platforms. In this review, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of robotic mitral valve surgery and share technical tips that we have learned to help teams embarking on their robotic journey. We consider factors necessary for the successful implementation of a robotic programme including the importance of training a dedicated team, with the common goal to avoid any compromise in either patient safety or repair quality during the learning curve. As experience grows with robotic techniques and more cardiac surgeons become proficient with this innovative technology, the volume of robotic cardiac procedures around the world will increase helped by the introduction of new robotic systems and patient demand. Well informed patients will increasingly seek out the opportunity of robotic valve reconstruction in reference centres in the hands of a few highly experienced robotic surgeons.

Patient-reported outcome measures after mitral valve repair: a comparison between minimally invasive and sternotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare patient-reported outcome measures of minimally invasive (MI) to sternotomy (ST) mitral valve repair. METHODS: We included all patients undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery via either a right mini-thoracotomy (MI) or ST over a 36-month period. Patients were asked to complete a modified Composite Physical Function questionnaire. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, and patient-reported outcome measures were compared between 2 propensity-matched groups (n = 47/group), assessing 3 domains: 'Recovery Time', 'Postoperative Pain' (at day 2 and 1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks) and 'Treatment Satisfaction'. Composite scores for each domain were subsequently constructed and multivariable analysis was used to determine whether surgical approach was associated with domain scores. RESULTS: The response rate was 79%. There was no mortality in either group. In the matched groups, operative times were longer in the MI group (P < 0.001), but postoperative outcomes were similar. Composite scores for Recovery Time [ST 51.7 (31.8-62.1) vs MI 61.7 (43.1-73.9), P = 0.03] and Pain [ST 65.7 (40.1-83.1) vs MI 79.1 (65.5-89.5), P = 0.02] significantly favoured the MI group. Scores in the Treatment Satisfaction domain were high for both surgical approaches [ST 100 (82.5-100) vs MI 100 (95.0-100), P = 0.15]. The strongest independent predictor of both faster recovery parameter estimate 12.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.7-18.3, P < 0.001] and less pain parameter estimate 7.6 (95% CI 0.7-14.5, P = 0.03) was MI surgery. CONCLUSIONS: MI surgery was associated with faster recovery and less pain; treatment satisfaction and safety profiles were similar.

Minimally invasive versus conventional sternotomy for Mitral valve repair: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (UK Mini Mitral).

INTRODUCTION: Numbers of patients undergoing mitral valve repair (MVr) surgery for severe mitral regurgitation have grown and will continue to rise. MVr is routinely performed via median sternotomy; however, there is a move towards less invasive surgical approaches.There is debate within the clinical and National Health Service (NHS) commissioning community about widespread adoption of minimally invasive MVr surgery in the absence of robust research evidence; implementation requires investment in staff and infrastructure.The UK Mini Mitral trial will provide definitive evidence comparing patient, NHS and clinical outcomes in adult patients undergoing MVr surgery. It will establish the best surgical approach for MVr, setting a standard against which emerging percutaneous techniques can be measured. Findings will inform optimisation of cost-effective practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: UK Mini Mitral is a multicentre, expertise based randomised controlled trial of minimally invasive thoracoscopically guided right minithoracotomy versus conventional sternotomy for MVr. The trial is taking place in NHS cardiothoracic centres in the UK with established minimally invasive mitral valve surgery programmes. In each centre, consenting and eligible patients are randomised to receive surgery performed by consultant surgeons who meet protocol-defined surgical expertise criteria. Patients are followed for 1 year, and consent to longer term follow-up.Primary outcome is physical functioning 12 weeks following surgery, measured by change in Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2) physical functioning scale. Early and 1 year echo data will be reported by a core laboratory. Estimates of key clinical and health economic outcomes will be reported up to 5 years.The primary economic outcome is cost effectiveness, measured as incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained over 52 weeks following index surgery. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: A favourable opinion was given by Wales REC 6 (16/WA/0156). Trial findings will be disseminated to patients, clinicians, commissioning groups and through peer reviewed publication. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN13930454.

Robotic Cardiac Surgery in Europe: Status 2020.

BACKGROUND: European surgeons were the first worldwide to use robotic techniques in cardiac surgery and major steps in procedure development were taken in Europe. After a hype in the early 2000s case numbers decreased but due to technological improvements renewed interest can be noted. We assessed the current activities and outcomes in robotically assisted cardiac surgery on the European continent. METHODS: Data were collected in an international anonymized registry of 26 European centers with a robotic cardiac surgery program. RESULTS: During a 4-year period (2016-2019), 2,563 procedures were carried out [30.0% female, 58.5 (15.4) years old, EuroSCORE II 1.56 (1.74)], including robotically assisted coronary bypass grafting (n = 1266, 49.4%), robotic mitral or tricuspid valve surgery (n = 945, 36.9%), isolated atrial septal defect closure (n = 225, 8.8%), left atrial myxoma resection (n = 54, 2.1%), and other procedures (n = 73, 2.8%). The number of procedures doubled during the study period (from n = 435 in 2016 to n = 923 in 2019). The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time in pump assisted cases was 148.6 (63.5) min and the myocardial ischemic time was 88.7 (46.1) min. Conversion to larger thoracic incisions was required in 56 cases (2.2%). Perioperative rates of revision for bleeding, stroke, and mortality were 56 (2.2%), 6 (0.2 %), and 27 (1.1%), respectively. Median postoperative hospital length of stay was 6.6 (6.6) days. CONCLUSION: Robotic cardiac surgery case numbers in Europe are growing fast, including a large spectrum of procedures. Conversion rates are low and clinical outcomes are favorable, indicating safe conduct of these high-tech minimally invasive procedures.

Cost Analysis of Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery in the UK National Health Service.

BACKGROUND: In the UK National Health Service, finite resources make the adoption of minimally invasive (MI) mitral valve surgery challenging unless greater operative costs (vs sternotomy [ST]) are balanced by postoperative savings. This study examined whether the cost analysis now became unfavorable. METHODS: All patients (n = 380) undergoing isolated mitral valve surgery with or without a maze procedure over a 3-year period by either MI or ST approaches were included. Propensity matching (2 cohorts, 1:1 matched;, n = 75 per group) and multivariable regression were used to assess for the effect on cost. Cost data were prospectively collected from Service Line Reporting and reported in Sterling (£) as median (interquartile range [IQR]). RESULTS: Matched data revealed that total hospital costs were equivalent (MI vs ST, £16,672 [IQR, £15,044, £20,611] vs £15,875 [IQR, £12,281, £20,687]; P .33). Three of 15 costing pools were significantly different: operative costs were higher for the MI group (MI vs ST, £7458 [IQR, £6738, £8286] vs £5596 iIQR, £4204, £6992]; P < .001), whereas ward costs (boarding, nursing) (MI vs ST, £1464 [IQR, £1146, £1864] vs £1733 [IQR, £1403, £2445] P = .006) and pharmacy services (MI vs ST, £187 [IQR, £140, £239] vs £244 [IQR, £179, £375] P < .001) were lower for the MI group. Hospital stay was shorter in the MI group (MI vs ST, 6 days [IQR, 5, 8 days] vs 8 days [IQR, 6, 11 days]; P < .001). Multivariable regression produced similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in overall hospital cost between MI and ST mitral valve surgery: higher operative costs of MI surgery were offset by lower postoperative costs, with a 2-day shorter hospital stay.

Is obesity associated with poorer outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve surgery?

OBJECTIVES: High body mass index (BMI) makes minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) more challenging with some surgeons considering this a contraindication. We sought to determine whether this is because the outcomes are genuinely worse than those of non-obese patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing MIMVS ± concomitant procedures over an 8-year period. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and BMI ˂ 30 kg/m2, as per World Health Organization definitions. Baseline characteristics, operative and postoperative outcomes and 5-year survival were compared. RESULTS: We identified 296 patients (BMI ≥30, n = 41, median 35.3, range 30-43.6; BMI <30, n = 255, median 26.2, range 17.6-29.9). The groups were well matched with regard to baseline characteristics. There was only 1 in-hospital mortality, and this was in the BMI < 30 group. There was no difference in repair rate for degenerative disease (100% vs 96.3%, P > 0.99 respectively) or operative durations [cross-clamp: 122 min interquartile range (IQR) 100-141) vs 125 min (IQR 105-146), P = 0.72, respectively]. There were only 6 conversions to sternotomy, all in non-obese patients. There was no significant difference in any other perioperative or post-operative outcomes. Using the Kaplan-Meier analysis, there was no significant difference in 5-year survival between the 2 groups (95.8% vs 95.5%, P = 0.83, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients having MIMVS, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that obesity affects either short- or mid-term outcomes. Obesity should therefore not be considered as a contraindication to this technique for experienced teams.

Early experience of thoracoscopic vs. catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) ablation has been advocated as a treatment option for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in recent guidelines. Real-life data on its safety and efficacy during a centre's early experience are sparse. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty patients (28 persistent/longstanding persistent AF) underwent standalone VATS ablation for AF by an experienced thoracoscopic surgeon, with the first 20 cases proctored by external surgeons. Procedural and follow-up outcomes were collected prospectively, and compared with 90 propensity-matched patients undergoing contemporaneous catheter ablation (CA). Six (20.0%) patients undergoing VATS ablation experienced ≥1 major complication (death n = 1, stroke n = 2, conversion to sternotomy n = 3, and phrenic nerve injury n = 2). This was significantly higher than the 1.1% major complication rate (tamponade requiring drainage n = 1) seen with CA (P < 0.001). Twelve-month single procedure arrhythmia-free survival rates without antiarrhythmic drugs were 56% in the VATS and 57% in the CA cohorts (P = 0.22), and 78% and 80%, respectively given an additional CA and antiarrhythmic drugs (P = 0.32). CONCLUSION: During a centre's early experience, VATS ablation may have similar success rates to those from an established CA service, but carry a greater risk of major complications. Those embarking on a programme of VATS AF ablation should be aware that complication and success rates may differ from those reported by selected high-volume centres.

Propensity-matched analysis of minimally invasive approach versus sternotomy for mitral valve surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this multicentre study was to compare short-term and midterm outcomes between sternotomy and minimally invasive approaches for mitral valve surgery. METHODS: Data for all mitral valve procedures with or without concomitant tricuspid atrial fibrillation surgery were analysed from three UK hospitals between January 2008 and December 2016. To account for selection bias between minimally invasive approach and sternotomy, one-to-one propensity score calliper matching without replacement was performed. The main outcome measure was midterm reintervention free survival that was summarised by the Kaplan-Meier estimator and compared between treatment arms using the stratified log-rank test. RESULTS: A total of 2404 procedures (1757 sternotomy and 647 minimally invasive) were performed during the study period. Propensity score matching resulted in 639 matched pairs with improved balance postmatching in all 31 covariates (absolute standardised mean differences <10%). Despite longer procedural times patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery had a lower need for transfusion (20.5%vs14.4%, p=0.005) and reduced median postoperative length of stay (7 vs 6 days, p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of in-hospital mortality or postoperative stroke. Reintervention-free survival at 8 years was estimated as 86.1% in the minimally invasive group and 84.1% in the sternotomy group (p=0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive surgery is associated with excellent short-term outcomes and comparable midterm outcomes for patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. A minimally invasive approach should be considered for all patients who require mitral valve intervention and should be the standard against which transcatheter mitral techniques are compared.

Systematic review of robotic minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Robotic telemanipulators have evolved to assist the challenges of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MVS). A systematic review was performed to provide a synopsis of the literature, focusing on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. METHOD: Structured searches of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were performed in August 2013. All original studies except case-reports were included in qualitative review. Studies with ≥50 patients were presented quantitatively. RESULTS: After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria to the search results, 27 studies were included in qualitative review, 16 of which had ≥50 patients. All studies were observational in nature, and thus the quality of evidence was rated low to medium. Patients generally had good left ventricular performance, were relatively asymptomatic, and mean patient age ranged from 52.6-58.4 years. Rates of intraoperative outcomes ranged from: 0.0-9.1% for conversion to non-robotic surgery, 106±22 to 188.5±53.8 min for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time and 79±16 to 140±40 min for cross-clamp (XC) time. Rates of short-term postoperative outcomes ranged from: 0.0-3.0% for mortality, 0.0-3.2% for myocardial infarction (MI), 0.0-3.0% for permanent stroke, 1.6-15% for pleural effusion, 0.0-5.0% for reoperations for bleeding, 0.0-0.3% for infection, and 1.1-6% for prolonged ventilation (>48 hours), 1.5-5.4% for early repair failure, 12.3±6.7 to 36.6±24.7 hours for intensive care length of stay, 3.1±0.3 to 6.3±3.9 days for hospital length of stay (HLOS) and 81.7-97.6% had no or trivial mitral regurgitation (MR) before discharge. CONCLUSIONS: All subtypes of mitral valve prolapse are repairable with robotic techniques. CPB and XC times are long, and novel techniques such as the Cor-Knot, Nitinol clips or running sutures may reduce the time required. The overall rates of early postoperative mortality and morbidity are low. Improvements in postoperative quality of life (QoL) and expeditious return to work offset the increase in equipment and intraoperative cost. Evidence for long-term outcomes is as yet limited.

Cross-sectional survey on minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has become a standard technique to perform mitral valve surgery in many cardiac centers. However, there remains a question regarding when MIMVS should not be performed due to an increased surgical risk. Consequently, expert surgeons were surveyed regarding their opinions on patient factors, mitral valve pathology and surgical skills in MIMVS. METHODS: Surgeons experienced in MIMVS were identified through an electronic search of the literature. A link to an online survey platform was sent to all surgeons, as well as two follow-up reminders. Survey responses were then submitted to a central database and analyzed. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 20 surgeons. Overall results were not uniform with regard to contraindications to performing MIMVS. Some respondents do not consider left atrial enlargement (95% of surgeons), complexity of surgery (75%), age (70%), aortic calcification (70%), EuroSCORE (60%), left ventricular ejection fraction (55%), or obesity (50%) to be contraindication to surgery. Ninety percent of respondents believe more than 20 cases are required to gain familiarity with the procedure, while 85% believe at least one MIMVS case needs to be performed per week to maintain proficiency. Eighty percent recommend establishment of multi-institutional databases and standardized surgical mentoring courses, while 75% believe MIMVS should be incorporated into current training programs for trainees. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MIMVS has been accepted as a treatment option for patients with mitral valve pathologies according the expert panel. Initial training and continuing practice is recommended to maintain proficiency, as well as further research and formalization of training programs.

Retrograde femoral arterial perfusion and stroke risk during minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: is there cause for concern?

Recent data have suggested that retrograde arterial perfusion (RAP) during minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) is associated with a higher stroke rate than sternotomy approaches. To assess whether there is genuine cause for concern, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of this data. A multitude of confounding factors obfuscate interpretation of the data including imprecise definitions of MIMVS, the effect of the substantial learning curve, retrospective comparisons of small historic cohorts with baseline differences and differing risk profiles for atherosclerosis, different methods of aortic occlusion and lack of reporting of peripheral vascular disease (PVD)/aortic assessment in patient populations. In patients with severe (grades IV and V) aortic arch/ascending aortic atherosclerosis, RAP has clearly been shown to be associated with an increase in risk of cerebral embolic complications. It would be reasonable to assume that grades IV/V atheroma anywhere along the aorto-iliac axis (from femoral cannulation site to carotid arteries) may also increase the risk of stroke. Hence those at risk of severe atherosclerotic vascular disease should be screened to fully assess the aortoiliac axis. Apart from this patient group, there is no convincing evidence (without confounding variables) that retrograde perfusion per se during minimally invasive mitral surgery increases the risk of stroke. This may be due to the largely differing aetiologies of vascular and mitral degenerative disease.

Polymorphisms and high on-aspirin platelet reactivity after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: High on-aspirin residual platelet reactivity (RPR) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a transient phenomenon with important implications for graft patency. This study was designed to determine the role of polymorphisms [TBXA2R (T924C), GPIIIa (Pl(A1/A2)), P2Y1 (A1622G), and GP1Bα (C1018T)] on RPR in Chinese patients undergoing off-pump CABG (OPCAB). METHODS: Of 420 patients recruited to this study, 210 patients underwent primary OPCAB and 210 controls with ischemic heart disease received optimal medical therapy. Arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and urinary 11-dehydro thromboxane B2 were measured at baseline and following aspirin administration on days 1, 4, 10, and on 6th month. Four polymorphisms were identified [TBXA2R (T924C), P2Y1 (A1622G), Pl(A1/A2) and GP1Bα (C1018T)]. RESULTS: On the first post-operative day, 62 patients (29.5%) were with high RPR and 148 (70.5%) were with low RPR. Of the former, 33 (15.7%), 10 (4.6%), and 0 (0%) patients remained with high RPR on days 4, 10, and on 6 month, respectively. No individuals with high RPR was found in controls. Logistic regression identified TBXA2R-924TT (OR = 4.5; 95% CI, 1.8-11.1) and body mass index > 27 kg/m(2) (OR = 2.73; 95% CI, 1.1-7.0) as independent risk factors for high on-aspirin RPR. CONCLUSIONS: High on-aspirin RPR after OPCAB is associated with genetic polymorphism TBXA2R-924TT and obesity.