The Surgical Treatment of Pericardial Disease: The Robotic Approach

Surgery on the pericardium has been relegated to a median sternotomy, open thoracotomy and subxiphoid laparotomy approach. Video-assisted or thoracoscopic techniques may present some limitations in some patients. The robotic approach described in this chapter provides sufficient information to perform a safe and efficient procedure. The anesthetic management, the progress of the procedure and the placement of 3–4 puncture wounds and their position on the chest wall are described.