How to robotically harvest the internal mammary artery in a skeletonized, clipless fashion using bipolar micro forceps

Abstract

In minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery, the integrity of the internal mammary artery graft depends on the minimization of trauma during its harvesting. Moreover, bipolar cauterization of side branches has shown superiority in animal studies. This report highlights the use of bipolar micro forceps in robotic skeletonized internal mammary artery harvesting. Its application offers optimal tissue handling, safe cauterization, minimal thermal spread, and time-efficiency, as instrument exchange is minimized, significantly decreasing harvesting time.