Advances in Minimally Invasive, Endoscopic, and Robotic Valve Surgery: Current Techniques and Clinical Outcomes

Minimally invasive approaches have fundamentally transformed cardiac valve surgery, offering reduced surgical trauma, lower transfusion requirements, shorter hospital stays, and accelerated functional recovery without compromising hemodynamic efficacy. The rapid evolution of totally endoscopic techniques, robotic assistance, and innovative valve prostheses - including sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valves - has expanded the boundaries of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) to increasingly complex and higher-risk patient cohorts.This Research Topic aims to bring together original clinical research, surgical series, meta-analyses, and expert reviews highlighting state-of-the-art advances in minimally invasive, endoscopic, and robotic valve surgery. We welcome contributions covering, but not limited to, the following themes:• Robotic-assisted aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve surgery: surgical setup, technical nuances, and early European/international case series• Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (MIAVR): mini-sternotomy vs. right anterior mini-thoracotomy approaches• Sutureless and rapid-deployment aortic valve prostheses (e.g., Perceval) in minimally invasive and robotic procedures• Totally endoscopic mitral and tricuspid valve repair and replacement• Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols in minimally invasive cardiac surgery• Clinical, hemodynamic, and patient-reported outcomes comparing minimally invasive vs. conventional sternotomy approaches• Hybrid valve procedures and transcatheter-surgical collaborative strategiesUltimately, this collection aims to bridge the gap between technical surgical innovation and routine clinical practice, fostering international collaboration, standardising minimally invasive procedural pathways, and providing robust evidence to guide patient selection and improve long-term valve surgery outcomes worldwide. Topic editors: Leonard Pitts, Maeda Kay Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86380/advances-in-minimally-invasive-endoscopic-and-robotic-valve-surgery-current-techniques-and-clinical-outcomes