Initial experience of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in China.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS).


METHODS
From May 2009 to May 2013, 48 patients with intrathoracic lesions underwent RATS with the da Vinci® Surgical System was reported (11 lobectomies, 37 mediastinal tumour resections).


RESULTS
RATS was successfully and safely completed in all 48 patients. Conversion of the operation to open surgery was not needed in any patient. The average operation time was 85.9 min, average blood loss 33 ml, and average hospital stay 3.9 days. No patient required blood transfusion. The only recognized adverse event was the development of a bronchopleural fistula in one patient.


CONCLUSIONS
RATS appears feasible and safe in thoracic surgery. More investigation will be needed in order to determine its possible long-term benefits and cost effectiveness.
Clinical Centre for Pulmonary Tumour, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Shanghai Chest Hospital, People's Republic of China.
Jia
J
Huang
Qingquan
Q
Luo
Qiang
Q
Tan
Hao
H
Lin
Liqiang
L
Qian
Xu
X
Lin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*
da Vinci surgical system; pulmonary adenocarcinoma; robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS); thoracic surgery; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)