Minimally Invasive/Robotic Surgery for Lung Cancer

Surgical resection of lung cancer has undergone profound changes over the past 30 years. Minimally invasive lobectomy was introduced in the early 1990s, and since that time, we have seen rapid advancements in technology. Patients now routinely undergo complex resections, including sleeve resection, chest wall resection, and pneumonectomy, done via a robotic or minimally invasive approach. This article explores the history of minimally invasive surgery, a review of current lung cancer staging guidelines and treatment paradigms for both early-stage and locally advanced disease, and the modern approach to the surgical care of patients with lung cancer.