[Application of the da Vinci robotic system in thoracic surgery].
BACKGROUND
The latest technical developments of minimally invasive thoracic surgery are characterized by robotic-assisted operative procedures. Robotic-assisted thymectomy is the most advanced method in this field.


METHODS
A systematic literature search (PubMed, Medline) was carried out and the databank system of Intuitive Surgical (Sunnyvale, CA) was analysed. Target criteria were the analysis of the quantitative data over time, technical advantages and limiting factors of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery.


RESULTS
The da Vinci robotic system has been used in thoracic surgery since 2001, and up to 2012 a total of 10,895 robotic-assisted lobotomies have been carried out worldwide. A total of 12 ectopic parathyroid glands in the mediastinum were resected and published. Furthermore, more than 3,500 cases of robotic-assisted thymectomy were performed. A rapid increase in the number of operations has occurred particularly for thymectomy and lung resections.


CONCLUSIONS
Acceptance of robotic-assisted thymectomy for myasthenia and/or thymoma and mediastinal tumors is growing rapidly. For anatomic lung resection in lung cancer, robotic-assisted hilar and lymph node dissection due to this new quality are also comparable to open surgical techniques. The principles form the intrinsic technical advantages of the da Vinci robotic system.
Klinik für Allgemein-, Visceral-, Gefäß- und Thoraxchirurgie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Ismail
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Swierzy
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Ulrich
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Rückert
D002828:Choristoma; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010280:Parathyroid Glands; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000295:instrumentation