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Objective: Lobectomy for early stage lung cancer can be performed by open thoracotomy, thorascopy, or robotic surgery. Robotic lobectomy has developed over the past decade, and is a feasible and safe technique. We report the largest series to date of patients who underwent robotic lobectomy.
Methods: From January 2004 to July 2013, we reviewed patients that underwent robotic lobectomy was performed. From this cohort, patients who had early stage lung cancer were included.
Results: 168 patients underwent robotic lobectomy for early stage lung cancer. There were 76 men and 92 women, mean age 66+/- 10 years. Lobectomies were right upper 44, middle 24, and lower 32; left upper 49 and lower 27; lingulectomies 11, and bi-lobectomies 11. Mean operating time was 201 +/- 58 minutes. Tumor type was adenocarcinoma 108, squamous cell carcinoma 33, adenosquamous carcinoma 9, bronchoalveolar 14, large cell 4, poorly differentiated 2, carcinoid 7. Pathologic upstaging was noted in 29/168 (17%). There was no emergent conversion to open and no intraoperative death. Postoperative mortality was 1.7%. There was one death among the last 148 patients. Total morbidity was 23%. Median hospital stay was 6 days.
Conclusions: Robot-assisted lobectomy is feasible and safe for patients with early stage lung cancer. Robot-assistance facilitates excellent nodal and vascular dissection. Following the initial experience this procedure is associated with low morbidity, low mortality, short hospital stay.