Faster, safer, better recovery: a modified robotic-assisted segmentectomy versus conventional approaches in early...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the perioperative results of patients who receive robot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) modified segmentectomy and to compare the effectiveness and safety of this approach with those of traditional segmentectomy methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on perioperative data from 587 consecutive patients diagnosed with early stage lung cancer who underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic segmentectomy between January 2020 and September 2024. Using a 1:1 propensity score matching approach, 326 patients were paired based on clinical variables, such as age, sex, body weight, height, pulmonary function test results, and tumor size as measured by CT. Comparative assessments of perioperative outcomes and oncological parameters were performed between the matched groups. Of the 587 individuals included in the study, 178 underwent conventional segmentectomy (CS), while 409 received modified segmentectomy (MS). After applying propensity score matching, a total of 328 patients were retained for the final comparative analysis. The MS group demonstrated a significantly shorter operative time (83.72 ± 25.46 min vs. 121.01 ± 35.74 min, P < 0.001), lower total postoperative drainage volume (359.66 ± 413.70 ml vs. 527.98 ± 381.32 ml, P < 0.001), and a reduced postoperative hospital stay (3.76 ± 2.08 days vs. 4.69 ± 1.45 days, P < 0.001).Although the MS group exhibited a higher mean estimated blood loss, this difference did not reach statistical significance (58.87 ± 77.57 ml vs. 44.27 ± 55.35 ml, P = 0.051). Additionally, tumor size was significantly smaller in the MS cohort (8.67 ± 2.82 mm vs. 10.41 ± 4.08 mm, P < 0.001). Complete (R0) resection was achieved in all cases. The modified RATS segmentectomy offers significant benefits compared to conventional segmentectomy, such as shorter operative duration, reduced postoperative drainage, and a shorter postoperative hospital stay. These findings demonstrate the technical feasibility and potential advantages of this approach. However, further studies are needed to evaluate long-term oncological outcomes.