Robot-assisted lung segmentectomies: Where are we?

Abstract

Minimally invasive lung segmentectomy is being more commonly performed, although the rule of sublobar resection as definitive management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still under debate. To date, anatomical segmentectomy should be considered a valid option for the treatment of patients with ground-glass opacity and small-sized early-stage NSCLC, not larger than 2 cm. The safety and feasibility of robotic pulmonary segmentectomy have been widely demonstrated, with comparable results in terms of perioperative morbidity and long-term outcomes compared to video-assisted thoracoscopic approach. Differently from other minimally invasive technique, Robotic platform could be integrated with new upcoming technology such as advanced three-dimensional (3D) images model and multimodal surgical navigation system. These integrated multimodal systems should improve surgical procedure from preoperative planning to intraoperative assistance.