What are Robot-Assisted Thoracic Procedures?

• Cardiac Procedures

• Laparoscopic Procedures

• Robot-Assisted Surgery—Overview

• Urologic Procedures

Robot-assisted thoracic procedures are considered for surgeries that:

• Require precision
• Do not require open access

Some thoracic surgeries that have been successfully performed using robotic techniques include:

• Thymectomy —removal of the thymus gland
• Lobectomy —removal of a lung lobe
• Esophagectomy —removal of the esophagus
• Mediastinal tumor resection —removal of tumors located in the mediastinum (the part of the chest cavity that separates the lungs)
• Sympathectomy—cauterizing a portion of the sympathetic nerve

Compared to more traditional procedures, robotic-assisted surgery may result in:

• Less scarring
• Reduced recovery times
• Less risk of infection
• Less blood loss
• Reduced trauma to the body
• Shorter hospital...

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a robot-assisted thoracic procedure, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Collection of air or gases in the lung cavity ( pneumothorax )
• Collapsed lung
• Need for a prolonged artificial respiration on a ventilator (breathing machine)
• Damage to neighboring organs or structures
• The need to switch to traditional surgical methods (eg, traditional laparoscopic or open surgery)
• Anesthesia-related problems
• Nerve damage

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Advanced age
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol intake *...