Thoracoscopic versus robotic approaches: advantages and disadvantages.
The overall advantages of thoracoscopy over thoracotomy in terms of patient recovery have been fairly well established. The use of robotics, however, is a newer and less proven modality in the realm of thoracic surgery. Robotics offers distinct advantages and disadvantages in comparison with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Robotic technology is now used for a variety of complex cardiac, urologic, and gynecologic procedures including mitral valve repair and microsurgical treatment of male infertility. This article addresses the potential benefits and limitations of using the robotic platform for the performance of a variety of thoracic operations.
University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Benjamin
B
Wei
Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3496, Duke South, White Zone, Room 3589, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: thomas.damico@dm.duke.edu.
Thomas A
TA
D'Amico
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods; D012371:Robotics / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods
Esophagectomy; Robotic surgery; Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery