Journal of Long-Term Eff ects of Medical Implants, 13(6)451464 (2003)
Document ID# JLT1306-451464(206)
451
1050-6934/03 $5.00 © 2003 by Begell House, Inc.
Robotic Cardiac Surgery
Alan P. Kypson, MD, L. Wiley Nifong, MD,
& W. Randolph Chitwood Jr., MD
Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brody School of Medicine,
East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
Address all correspondence to Alan P. Kypson, Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Brody
School of Medicine, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Boulevard, Room 252, Greenville, North Carolina, 27858,
USA; kypsona@mail.ecu.edu
ABSTRACT: Traditionally, cardiac surgery has been performed by median sternotomy. How-
ever, a renaissance is occurring. Cardiac operations are being performed through smaller and
alternative incisions with enhanced technological assistance. Both coronary artery bypass graft-
ing and valve surgery can be accomplished with this novel methodology. Specifi cally, minimally
invasive mitral valve surgery has become standard for many surgeons. At our institution, we have
developed a robotic mitral surgery program with the da VinciTM telemanipulation system. Th
is
system allows the surgeon to perform complex mitral valve operations through small port sites
rather than a traditional median sternotomy. Our techniques and initial results are reported, as
is a brief overview of the evolution of robotic cardiac surgery.
KEY WORDS: cardiac, surgery, robotic
