Minimally invasive mitral valve repair with and without robotic technology in the elderly.

An increasing number of elderly persons require mitral valve surgery, primarily for mitral regurgitation. Minimally invasive mitral valve repair, including robotic surgery, has been shown to be feasible and safe in the general population. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is especially beneficial in the elderly because it decreases trauma and speeds recovery. The authors conducted a retrospective review of 123 cases of minimally invasive mitral valve repair in elderly patients aged 70 years and older and five robotic mitral valve repairs using the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) in one octogenarian. The authors review their 9 years of experience with minimally invasive mitral valve repair in the elderly and compare and contrast other forms of surgery in the elderly, including robotic mitral valve repair.