[Thoracoscopic surgery using voice controlled robot for spontaneous pneumothorax]

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Robotics in Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Context:

• Spontaneous pneumothorax presents a recurring challenge in thoracic surgery.
• Current thoracoscopic procedures rely on human assistance, which can be resource-intensive.
• The integration of robotic technology offers potential advancements in surgical efficiency and outcomes.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the feasibility and applicability of voice-controlled robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
• To compare the outcomes of robot-assisted surgery with traditional human-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax.
• To assess the impact of voice-controlled robotic assistance on procedural efficiency, specifically thoracoscope cleaning frequency.

Summary:

• Eleven patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent thoracoscopic surgery.
• Five patients received voice-controlled robot-assisted procedures; six had human-assisted procedures.
• Both methods achieved successful completion without complications. Robot-assisted surgery significantly reduced thoracoscope cleaning frequency (1.4 vs. 8 instances per hour).
• Key metrics including operative time, analgesic use, chest tube duration, and recurrence rates showed no statistically significant differences between the groups.

Impact:

• Voice-controlled robotic assistance demonstrates feasibility as a surgical aid in thoracoscopic procedures.
• This technology may enhance surgical efficiency by minimizing interruptions for instrument cleaning.
• Further research can explore broader applications and long-term benefits of robotic assistance in thoracic surgery.