Endoscopic cardiac surgery involves performing surgical procedures exclusively using the images displayed on a screen, with the surgeon basing all actions on this medium (1, 2). Endoscopic cardiac surgery is not a recent innovation—it was pioneered by Hugo Vanerman in the 1990s—it allows for smaller working incisions, typically 2.5 to 3cm in length, and avoids rib spreading, resulting in less postoperative pain and faster recovery (3). Many centers around the world have adopted this surgical approach, with notable leaders including Innsbruck (Austria), Brussels (Belgium), Blackpool (England), Berlin, Bonn, Frankfurt, and Bad Neustadt (Germany), Thessaloniki (Greece), Massa and Milan (Italy), Maastricht (Netherlands), Warsaw (Poland), and Edgewood, KY (USA). New centers continue to emerge online in regions such as Asia, North Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia.  

The technical demands of endoscopic cardiac surgery are rigorous, partly due to the absence of a three-dimensional perspective on screen. However, the introduction of three-dimensional cameras has improved this aspect (1). Traditionally, this mode of minimally invasive cardiac surgery had not been as prevalent compared to direct vision through right minithoracotomy. However, its adoption has increased around the world, likely because the cost of entry is lower than that of other forms of endoscopic surgery, such as robotic-assisted techniques. Endoscopic cardiac surgery can be performed in both simple and complex cases, including elective surgeries and high-acuity cases (5).

This series includes videos showcasing endoscopic cardiac surgery for various conditions such as repairs of mitral, tricuspid, and aortic valves, atrial septal defects, cardiac tumors, left ventricular thrombus, atrial fibrillation, and reoperative cardiac surgery. Further information about endoscopic cardiac surgery can be accessed through the Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club [3], which offers opportunities for training, case observations, and surgical meetings.  

Series Videos   [4]

1. Totally Endoscopic Direct TAVR in MAC MVR and IVC Repair  [5]

2. Totally Endoscopic Complex Multisegment Prolapse Repair  [6]

3. Totally Endoscopic ASD Closure With Tricuspid Valve Repair  [7]

4. Totally Endoscopic Mechanical Mitral Valve Repair  [8]

5. Totally Endoscopic Triple Valve Surgery: AVR, MVr, TVr [9]  

6. Totally Endoscopic Mitral Repair for Atrial Functional MR, Left Atrial Maze, and Appendage Clip  [10]

7. Totally Endoscopic IVC Patch Enlargement in a Reoperative Setting [11] 

8. Totally Endoscopic Repair of Barlow’s Valve With Simple Annuloplasty  [12]

9. Totally Endoscopic Left Atrial Myxoma Resection  [13]

10. Totally Endoscopic Left Ventricular Thrombus Removal  [14]

11. Totally Endoscopic Mitral Annular Decalcification Using Ultrasonic Emulsification  [15]

12. Totally Endoscopic Redo Mitral Valve Surgery With Different Myocardial Protection Strategies [16]

13. Totally Endoscopic Right Atrial Myxoma Resection [17]

14. Totally Endoscopic Tricuspid Valve Repair After Healed Endocarditis [18]

Disclaimer

The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here. [19]