Robotic surgery vs. open surgery for thymectomy, a retrospective case-match study.

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Robotic thymectomy is increasingly used for thymus diseases.
• Limited comparative studies exist on early outcomes between robotic and open transsternal thymectomy.
• This study addresses the need for evidence on robotic surgery's efficacy and patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To confirm the non-inferiority of robotic thymectomy compared to open transsternal thymectomy.
• To evaluate feasibility, safety, and postoperative patient recovery.
• To compare outcomes including pain, hospital stay, and complications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study comparing 114 patients undergoing thymectomy.
• 57 robotic thymectomies (Group A) matched with 57 open thymectomies (Group B) using propensity score.
• Analysis of hospital/ICU stay, pain (VAS), analgesic use, operative time, and complications.

Main Results:

• Robotic surgery group showed significantly lower postoperative pain (p < 0.001).
• Total hospital stay was significantly shorter in the robotic group (p = 0.003).
• No significant differences in ICU stay, operative time, or complication rates were observed.

Conclusions:

• Robotic-assisted thymectomy is safe and feasible, demonstrating non-inferiority to open surgery.
• The minimally invasive approach offers advantages in reduced postoperative pain and shorter hospital stay.
• Robotic thymectomy facilitates faster patient mobilization and recovery for thymus diseases.