Taichung Veterans General Hospital began a program regarding robotic heart surgery in December 2005.Under the guidance of both Professor Yen Chang and Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dr. Hao-Ji Wei, the robotic heart team in Taichung Veterans General Hospital has performed more than 850 procedures with respect to different heart-related procedures, including multiple vessel coronary artery bypass, mitral and tricuspid valve surgery, heart defect repair and tumor removal. Robotic cardiac surgery is performed through the use of very small cuts in the chest. With the use of tiny instruments and robot-controlled tools, surgeons are able to perform heart surgery in a manner which is less invasive than open-heart surgery. These minimal invasive procedures can help preserve the breastbone, while causing less trauma and pain to the patient. Additionally, there is less bleeding and thus decreases risk of infection. Patients also experienced shorter hospital stays (usually 3-5 days) and quicker returns to their daily and professional activities.