[Thoracoscopic major lung resection using a newly developed instrument retraction system and a voice-controlled...

We report a case of thoracoscopic major lung resection using a newly-developed instrument retraction system and a voice-controlled robot for lung cancer in a 72-year-old woman. The patient was referred to our department for further examination of an abnormal shadow on chest x-ray. A chest computed tomographic scan indicated a suspicion of malignancy. Bronchoscopic brush cytology revealed a lung cancer. Thoracoscopic middle lobectomy of the right lung with dissection of the mediastinal lymphnodes was successfully performed without a human assistance with no complications. The postoperative course was uneventful. Thoracoscopic major lung resection using an instrument retraction system and a voice-controlled robot may be feasible in selected cases.