Article Abstract

Robotics - The answer to the Achilles' heel of VATS pulmonary resection

Authors: Mark R. Dylewski,Richard S. Lazzaro

Abstract

During the past decade, robotic surgical systems have been increasingly utilized to perform highly complex surgical procedures. In fact, the robotic-assisted approach to the treatment of many gynecological and urological surgical procedures has become the standard-of-care. The use of robotic surgical system in thoracic surgery is in its early development. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was propelled forward in the early 1990’s without full appreciation for long-term consequences, increased cost or therapeutic benefit. The trend in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery is projected to surpass the adoption of VATS and to mirror that of other robotic surgical subspecialties.