title: [Implementation of a robotic video-assisted thoracic surgical program].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent publications from North America have shown the benefits of robot-assisted thoracic surgery. We report here the process of setting up such a program in a French university centre and early results in a unit with an average treatment volume.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of a single institution database. The program was launched after a 6-month preparation period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From January 2012 to January 2013, totally endoscopic, full robot-assisted procedures were performed on 30 patients (17 males). Median age was 54 [Q1-Q3, 48-63] years and ASA score 2 [1,2]. Operative procedures included thymectomy (9 ; 30%), lobectomy with nodes resection (11 ; 38%), segmentectomy (4 ; 14%), lymphadenectomy (3 ; 10%), Bronchogenic cyst (2, 5%) and posterior mediastinal mass resection (1 ; 3%). No conversion was required. Median blood loss was 50mL [10-100]. Median operating time was 135 min (105-165) including 30 min [20-40] for docking, 90min for robot-assisted operating [70-120] and 15 min [10-15] for lesion extraction. CO2 insufflation was used in 28 cases (93%). Hospital stay was 4 days [4-6] with 6 minor complications (20%) (Grade 1 according to the Clavien-Dindo classification). After a median 4 months follow-up [2-7], all patients were alive and demonstrated a good quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This series suggests that full robotic thoracic procedures are safe and effective treatment for various pathologies, with low morbidity and without a significant learning curve, even in a lower volume centre. This technology should accompany the development of minimally invasive thoracic surgery. The importance of robotic training should be emphasized to optimize procedures and costs.
authors.affiliation: Unité de chirurgie générale et thoracique, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France. Electronic address: jean-marc.baste@chu-rouen.fr.
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Baste
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie thoracique et vasculaire, centre hospitalier de la Côte-Basque, 13, avenue de l'interne-Jacques-Loëb BP 8, 64109, Bayonne cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riviera
authors.affiliation: Unité de chirurgie générale et thoracique, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: F-X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Nouhaud
authors.affiliation: Unité de chirurgie générale et thoracique, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rinieri
authors.affiliation: Unité de chirurgie générale et thoracique, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melki
authors.affiliation: Unité de chirurgie générale et thoracique, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peillon
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods
keywords: Cancer du poumon; Chirurgie thoracique vidéo-assistée; Formation; Lung cancer; Myasthenia gravis; Myasthénie; Robotics; Robotique; Training; Video-assisted thoracic surgery