Drainless Robotic Resection of Mediastinal Lesions: A Case Series of Three Patients

Robotic surgery has become increasingly adopted in minimally invasive thoracic procedures because of its advantages, including three-dimensional intraoperative visualization, reduced tissue trauma, and reduced intraoperative bleeding. In line with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles, drainless surgical approaches have recently gained attention as they may help reduce postoperative pain and support earlier discharge. In this case series, we describe retrospective cases of three patients who underwent drainless robotic resection of mediastinal lesions at our institution. With careful patient selection, this approach may offer several potential benefits, including reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. Nevertheless, close postoperative monitoring remains essential, and the potential need for thoracic drainage should always be kept in mind.