Method for robotic assisted heart transplant

A method for performing a robotic-assisted orthotopic heart transplant, comprising:

• forming a first port subareolarly by a mini-thoracotomy at a working intercostal space of a patient, the first port being a working port;
• forming a second port and a third port configured to receive robotic arms therein;
• arranging a first robotic arm through the second port disposed at a second intercostal space lateral to a mid-clavicular line, the first robotic arm including first forceps;
• arranging a second robotic arm and a third robotic arm in the working port, the second robotic arm including an imaging device and the third robotic arm including second forceps;
• arranging a fourth robotic arm through the third port disposed at a fourth intercostal space proximal to an anterior axillary line, the fourth robotic arm including scissors or a needle holder;
• cannulating the patient in a right groin for cardiopulmonary bypass with an arterial cannula and a multistage femoral venous cannula, and inserting a cannula percutaneously into a right internal jugular vein for superior vena cava (SVC) drainage;
• initiating cardiopulmonary bypass upon achieving a predetermined activated clotting time (ACT), opening a pericardium anteriorly and retracting the pericardium laterally, and dissecting around the SVC, an inferior vena cava (IVC), an aorta, and a pulmonary artery;
• cross-clamping a distal ascending aorta with a cross-clamp, snaring the SVC and IVC, excising a native heart, and removing the native heart via the working port;
• arranging, through the working port, a donor heart in the patient anatomically;
• performing anastomosis of a left atrium using a first suture;
• performing anastomosis of the pulmonary artery using a second suture;
• performing anastomosis of the aorta using a second suture and inserting a root vent connected to low suction with cardiopulmonary bypass;
• performing anastomosis of the IVC using a third suture and removing the aortic cross-clamp;
• and
• performing anastomosis of the SVC using a fourth suture on the donor heart.