Bilateral internal thoracic artery harvesting under robotic video-assistance

Background: Following upon the recent development of minimally invasive coronary robotic surgery, we set out to evaluate the feasibility of bilateral internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting using the voice-controlled AESOP 2000 video assisted robot. Methods: The robot is placed on the right side of the patient. The left IMA is first totally video-harvested, with the arm of the robot crossing over the patient to reach the left chest. The voice-controlled movement of the arm allows the surgeon to obtain the best video image of the artery. After completion of the dissection, the arm is positioned on the right part of the chest. The right IMA is then harvested using the same technique. Results: Two patients underwent harvest of a bilateral IMA using this technique. The time of dissection was 52 min and 86 min, respectively. Conclusion: This technique allows a more precise, faster, tremor-free dissection, as compared to a conventional thoracoscopic harvesting.