Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
07:22
Surgical Robot-Assisted Transanal Specimen Extraction Radical Sigmoidectomy Without an Auxiliary Abdominal Incision
Published on: June 13, 2025
593
Refining Surgical Standards: The Role of Robotic-Assisted Segmentectomy in Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Masaya Nishino1, Hideki Ujiie1, Masaoki Ito1
1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 1-14-1 Mihara-Dai, Minami Ward, Sakai 590-0197, Osaka, Japan.
Cancers
|December 30, 2025
Summary
Segmentectomy is now a standard for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), preserving lung function. Robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) enhances this minimally invasive approach, balancing oncological safety with patient benefit.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Background:
- Segmentectomy is oncologically adequate for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), prioritizing pulmonary function and minimal invasiveness.
- Robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) offers potential improvements in precision and outcomes for segmentectomy procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence comparing sublobar resection and lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC, with a focus on RATS segmentectomy.
- To analyze clinical trials, outcomes, technical innovations, and patient selection for RATS segmentectomy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current evidence comparing segmentectomy and lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC.
- Analysis of comparative data for RATS, VATS, and open surgery, including AI and 3D imaging roles.
Main Results:
- Segmentectomy shows comparable or superior survival to lobectomy for stage IA peripheral NSCLC ≤2 cm, with better pulmonary function but higher recurrence.
- RATS improves visualization, dissection, and lymph node assessment, with lower conversion rates and reduced pain compared to VATS and open surgery.
- Innovations like ICG imaging and AI navigation enhance precision and personalized care.
Conclusions:
- Segmentectomy has become a standard surgical approach for early-stage NSCLC, balancing oncological safety and functional preservation.
- RATS maximizes the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for segmentectomy, offering technical precision and integration with digital tools.
- RATS represents an advancement in thoracic surgery, optimizing outcomes for early-stage NSCLC patients.
