Robot-assisted resection of multiple lung nodules through combination of intercostal incisions and a subxiphoid incision as a utility port.

Abstract

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) via subxiphoid incision may be superior in resection of multiple lung nodules. Outcomes of robot-assisted one-stage bilateral lobectomy or segmentectomy via intercostal and subxiphoid incisions for multiple ground-glass opacities were analysed. Total 36 cases were analysed in this study. Thirteen cases had bilateral lobectomy+segmentectomy, 15 cases underwent bilateral segmentectomies, and 8 cases underwent lobectomy+segmentectomy+wedge resection. The average intraoperative blood loss was 110.2±57.8mL, operation time was 154±64.2min, thoracic draining time was 2.6±3.2days, and postoperative hospital stay was 4.8±3.3days. Three patients had atrial fibrillation and 3 patients had continuous air leakage for over 3days, but there was no death or postoperative pain. Robot-assisted one-stage bilateral resection of multiple lung nodules through combination of intercostal and subxiphoid incision as a utility port is safe and reliable.