Clinical performance of da Vinci 5 versus Xi for robotic anatomic lung resection: a propensity-weighted analysis

The da Vinci 5 (DV5) system has purported advantages over existing platforms, including forced feedback. We compare perioperative safety, operative efficiency and early oncologic quality between DV5 and Xi robotic platforms for anatomic lung resection. A total of 419 robotic lung resections were performed between January 2025 and August 2026. Propensity-score overlap weighting balanced and matched 294 patients (47 DV5, 247 Xi) for age, sex, ASA class, BMI, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, tumor size, clinical T and N category, resection type and laterality. Effects were reported with robust and bootstrap 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity analyses included 1:1 and 1:3 propensity matching comparisons and E-value assessment. From January 2025 to August 2026, 294 patients (47 DV5, 247 Xi) had balanced baseline characteristics (SMD < 0.01). Operative time was shorter with DV5 (96.4 vs. 118.7 min; 95% CI, - 36.2 to - 8.5). Lymph node yield was comparable (DV5 29.9 vs. Xi 31.6; [- 7.2 to + 3.7]). Blood loss (p < 0.01), length of stay (1.05 vs. 1.28 days; [- 0.53, + 0.06]) and stapler loads (8.5 vs. 9.6; [- 2.81 to + 0.55]) were numerically lower with DV5. Major complications were numerically lower with DV5 (1/47 [2.0%] vs. 20/247 [8.2%]; -16.0 to + 3.6). Both had 100% R0 resections and no conversion. There was no 30- or 90-day mortality. In this first clinical comparison of da Vinci 5 and Xi for robotic anatomic lung resection, DV5 preserved the safety and oncologic quality of Xi while being associated with shorter operative times. Prospective multi-institutional studies are required to confirm these findings.