[Robotic coronary artery surgery: past, present and future].

Abstract

Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures in cardiac surgery have only become possible since the introduction of telemanipulator systems. In this study we review robotic assisted telemanipulation systems and procedures on beating and arrested heart for total endoscopic revascularization. Robotic surgery is still under development. The most important factors limiting this new technique are high costs and the fact that only selected patients are able to be operated on. But studies on technology especially to improve anastomotic techniques are going on to produce an alternative for coronary revascularisation. We did not yet hit all goals but the future seems promising.