Endoscopic Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery in Patients With Previous Sternotomy Cardiac Surgery

Objective: Mitral surgery is higher risk in patients with a previous median sternotomy. We describe an endoscopic robotic approach in this higher-risk cohort by an experienced robotic team. Methods: From January 2006 through June 2021, 152 consecutive patients with previous sternotomy cardiac surgery underwent mitral surgery using endoscopic robotics. Peripheral perfusion with endoaortic balloon occlusion was used in 148 patients (97.4%) and ventricular fibrillation in 4 patients (2.6%). Results: Mitral repair was performed in 73 patients (48%) including primary repair in 57 patients and re-repair in 16 patients, mitral replacement in 78 patients (51.3%) including primary replacement in 26 patients, conversion of a previous repair to replacement in 28 patients, and re-replacement in 24 patients. A paravalvular leak was primarily repaired in 1 patient (0.7%). Concomitant procedures included tricuspid repair in 28 patients (18.4%) and cryoablation in 8 patients (5.3%). Postoperative echocardiography in the mitral repair patients demonstrated none to mild regurgitation in 72 patients (98.6%). One repair patient (1.4%) had severe regurgitation and required robotic mitral replacement 5 days postoperatively. There were no paravalvular leaks in the mitral replacement patients. Operative mortality occurred in 3 patients (1.97%). Stroke occurred in 1 patient (0.7%), prolonged ventilation in 18 patients (11.8%), renal failure in 2 patients (1.4%), and re-exploration for bleeding in 10 patients (6.6%). Mean length of stay for the entire cohort was 5 ± 5.4 days. Conclusions: Robotic mitral valve surgery can be extended to patients with previous sternotomy with satisfactory efficacy and low operative mortality and morbidity.