[Robot-assisted Thoracic Surgery Sleeve Bronchoplasty:Experience from Animal Experiments to Clinical Practice]

Robot-assisted surgery is rapidly expanding in the field of thoracic surgery, including procedures for lung cancer. However, robot-assisted airway reconstruction-particularly sleeve bronchoplasty-remains a highly challenging surgical procedure. Approximately two decades ago, robot-assisted airway reconstruction was investigated as my doctoral research topic, providing an early foundation for the development of this technique. This article summarizes the evolution of robot-assisted airway reconstruction techniques, from procedures initially developed through animal experimentation to those currently applied in clinical practice. Key technical considerations, as well as current limitations and unresolved challenges, are also discussed. Although these techniques are still evolving, they allow for the effective utilization of the advantages inherent to robotic surgery. Furthermore, continued advancements in surgical instrumentation are expected to facilitate further refinement and expansion of their clinical applications.