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Updated: May 1, 2026
Author Spotlight: A Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with Multimodal Analgesia and Sevoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia
Published on: May 26, 2023
Evaluation of a robot-assisted video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery programme
Yong He1, Amans Coonar2, Sabin Gelvez-Zapata2
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Fifth Hospital of Dalian, Dalian, Liaoning 116021, P.R. China ; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge University Partners, Cambridge CB23 3RE, UK.
Robot-assisted video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using FreeHand® offers reduced surgery duration compared to conventional VATS. This robotic approach shows similar postoperative complication rates, potentially benefiting patient recovery.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Robotic Surgery
Background:
- Growing interest in robot-assisted surgical devices.
- Need to compare robot-assisted VATS with conventional VATS for effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted VATS compared to conventional VATS.
- To assess surgery duration and postoperative complication rates.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 64 VATS lobectomies.
- 34 cases using conventional VATS (CV group).
- 30 cases using robot-assisted VATS with FreeHand® (Robotic group).
Main Results:
- Robotic group surgery duration was 10.62% shorter than CV group (P<0.05).
- No significant differences in postoperative complication rates (bleeding, infection, arrhythmia, prolonged air leak) between groups (P≥0.05).
- Zero perioperative mortality in both groups.
Conclusions:
- FreeHand-assisted VATS offers reduced surgery duration compared to conventional VATS.
- Postoperative complication rates are similar between robotic-assisted and conventional VATS.
- Robot-assisted VATS may enhance patient recovery following the procedure.
