Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
07:27
Robotic-assisted Left Pneumonectomy For Vanishing Lung Syndrome
Published on: January 23, 2026
Pulmonary resection using a total endoscopic robotic video-assisted approach.
Mark R Dylewski1, Adaeze C Ohaeto, Jorge F Pereira
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Baptist Health South Florida-South Miami Hospital, South Miami, Florida, USA. MRDSKI@bellsouth.net
Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|August 3, 2011
Summary
Robotic video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RVATS) offers a safe and feasible approach for lung resection, potentially increasing minimally invasive lobectomy adoption. This technique shows reduced hospital stays and low morbidity/mortality rates.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Robotics
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Lung resections are commonly performed surgical procedures.
- Minimally invasive lobectomy offers patient benefits but faces adoption challenges.
- Robotic video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RVATS) presents a potential solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of RVATS for lung resection.
- To assess perioperative outcomes of RVATS lung resection.
- To determine if RVATS encourages minimally invasive lobectomy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive patients undergoing RVATS lung resection between December 2006 and September 2010.
- Procedures performed using the da Vinci Surgical System without a utility incision.
- Data collection on operative time, length of stay, mortality, and morbidity.
Main Results:
- RVATS successfully accomplished pulmonary resection in 197 of 200 patients.
- Procedures included lobectomy (154), bilobectomy (4), segmentectomy (35), sleeve lobectomy (3), en-bloc resection (3), and pneumonectomy (1).
- Median operative time was 90 minutes, median hospital stay was 3 days, with 60-day mortality at 2% and morbidity at 26%.
Conclusions:
- RVATS lung resection is technically feasible and safe.
- The procedure is associated with a reduced length of hospital stay.
- RVATS demonstrates low morbidity and mortality, supporting its use in lung resection.
