Techniques for robotic lung resection

Background: Minimally invasive approaches to anatomic lung resections including lobectomy and segmentectomy are becoming more pervasive. The robotic-assisted approach is the newest of minimally invasive techniques and includes advantages in terms of mechanics and optics. Here, general considerations and steps to robotic-assisted anatomic lung resections are presented. Methods: De-identified cases with hi-definition recordings are used to illustrate key steps and exposures during robotic-assisted anatomic lung resections. Results: The steps to right upper lobectomy, right middle lobectomy, right lower lobectomy, left upper lobectomy, left lower lobectomy, superior segmentectomy, and left upper trisegmentectomy are presented. Conclusions: Robotic anatomical pulmonary resection is a safe, oncologically effective alternative to the video-assisted thoracoscopic approach. The mechanical and optical advantage afforded by the robotic approach may make certain challenging patient populations and technically demanding operations easier and safer to perform.