Robotic vs other surgery techniques for mitral valve repair and/or replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: Mitral valve repair or replacement (MVr/R) are procedures that aim to correct mitral regurgitation. The three techniques, namely conventional, minimally invasive, and robotic each present their advantages and setbacks. Previous studies had compared each technique with the other but mostly focused on two techniques. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we attempt to compare all three techniques, to provide a reference for the clinical selection of the best surgical scheme.

Methods: The literature search was performed in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, EBSCOHost, Wiley, ProQuest, and Embase, up to June 1^st, 2022. Critical appraisal of studies was performed using Newcastle Ottawa Scale converted by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). We used bayesian network meta-analysis and conventional meta-analysis (random effects model) to rank and analyze pooled odds ratios (OR) and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Forest plots of pooled effect estimates comparing each treatment and ranking panel using Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking (SUCRA) were used for the intervention measures.

Results: A total of 18 studies with 60,331 patients were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Hospital stay was significantly lower in the group with robotic procedure compared to the conventional interventions in terms of ICU stay and overall length of stay. The mean difference of length of hospital stay days of the conventional group was 2.27 (1.31-3.30) days and of the minimally invasive -0.364 (-2.31-1.53) days compared to the robotic group. The robotic procedure was associated with longer cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) times. Nevertheless, the robotic procedure was associated with lower infection (OR = 0.60 [95% CI 0.50-0.73)] rates and in-hospital mortality compared to conventional techniques (OR=0.53 [95% CI 0.40-0.70)] but not the minimally invasive techniques (OR = 1.74 [95% CI 0.48-6.31]).

Conclusion: Robotic surgery showed more favorable surgical outcomes, including hospital stay, post-operational complications and in-hospital mortality, although it was associated with longer cross-clamp time and CPB time compared to other interventions. However, its high cost is a difficult consideration for its widespread clinical implementation.

Keywords: Mitral valve; conventional sternotomy; minimally-invasive surgery; robotic surgery.