Successful Transition to Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy With Previous Proficiency in Thoracoscopic Lobectomy

The learning curve and the advantages of transitioning to robotic-assisted lobectomy by a surgeon who is proficient in thoracoscopic lobectomy is currently unknown. The cost of robotic lobectomy has been reported to be higher than thoracoscopic lobectomy and there is no significant decrease in hospital length of stay.

This is a retrospective review of 228 patients diagnosed with lung carcinoma who underwent minimally invasive lobectomy from March 2014 to May 2018. A total of 114 patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy and 114 patients underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy. The data collected included patient demographics, tumor characteristics, morbidity, mortality, operative times, and hospital length of stay.

A total of 114 patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy and 114 patients underwent robotic-assisted lobectomy. The patients in each group were similar in age, gender, smoking status, FEV-1, tumor histology, and pathologic stage. The mortality and complication rates were similar. The mean number of total lymph nodes and N2 lymph nodes were significantly higher in the robotic lobectomy group (P < 0.0001). The mean operative time was shorter in the robotic group. The median hospital length of stay (4 days) was similar between the 2 groups (P = 0.99).

The results of this report suggest that thoracoscopic and robotic-assisted lobectomy have similar outcomes when a surgeon proficient in the thoracoscopic technique completely transitions to the robotic-assisted technique. The learning curve was relatively accelerated in this single-surgeon experience. There may be an advantage for robotic-assisted lobectomy in the total number of lymph nodes harvested.