title: Robotic lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): long-term oncologic results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated a large series of patients undergoing robotic lobectomy for the treatment of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to assess long-term oncologic efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multi-institutional retrospective review of patients undergoing robotic lobectomy for NSCLC was performed. Robotic lobectomy was performed in a manner consistent with the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) consensus video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy technique using a robotic surgical system. Perioperative outcomes and long-term follow-up were recorded prospectively, and survival was calculated from the date of surgery to last follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From November 2002 through May 2010, a total of 325 consecutive patients underwent robotic lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC at 3 institutions. The median age of patients was 66 years (range, 30-87 years), and 37% (120) were female. The majority were in clinical stage I (IA, 247; IB, 63). Conversion rate to thoracotomy was 8% (27/325). Overall morbidity rate was 25.2% (82/325), and major complication rate was 3.7% (12/325). There was 1 in-hospital death (0.3%), and the median length of stay was 5 days (range, 2-28 days). Pathologic stage distribution was 54% (176) IA, 22% (72) IB, 13% (41) IIA, 5% (15) IIB, and 6% (21) IIIA. With a median follow-up of 27 months, overall 5-year survival was 80% (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 73-88), and by pathologic stage, 91% (CI = 83-99) for stage IA, 88% (CI = 77-98) for stage IB, and 49% (CI = 24-74) for all patients with stage II disease. Overall 3-year survival for patients with stage IIIA disease was 43% (CI = 16-69).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robotic lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC can be performed with low morbidity and mortality. Long-term stage-specific survival is acceptable and consistent with prior results for VATS and thoracotomy.
authors: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ 07601, USA. bpark@humed.com
authors: Bernard J
authors: BJ
authors: Park
authors: Franca
authors: F
authors: Melfi
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Mussi
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Maisonneuve
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Spaggiari
authors: Ruy Kuenzer Caetano
authors: RK
authors: Da Silva
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Veronesi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007902:Length of Stay; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome