Thoracic Surgery

Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic surgery refers to surgery performed on organs and tissues in the chest cavity, such as the lungs or esophagus. When medication or other treatments are not effective, surgery is often recommended to treat a range of conditions such as lung cancer, lung tumors, and diseases of the esophagus.

Traditional open surgery to access the chest cavity requires surgeons to make a long incision through the chest wall, known as thoracotomy. In some cases, the surgeon has to cut open the breastbone at the front of the ribcage.

Robotic Thoracic Surgery

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat a thoracic condition affecting your lungs or esophagus, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery. The advanced technology available with the robot surgical system provides doctors with enhanced vision, precision and dexterity.

Because doctors perform robot-assisted surgery through a few tiny incisions between the ribs, they avoid splitting your breastbone and ribcage (known as a sternotomy). The robot surgical system provides surgeons and their patients with a less invasive treatment option – even for the most complex cases.

The Benefits of Robot-Assisted Surgery

Potential benefits to robot-assisted thoracic surgery, compared to traditional open surgery, can include:

• Lower rate of complications
• Less blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Faster return to normal quality of life

Is Robot-Assisted Surgery Right For You?

Talk to your doctor to find out if surgery with the robot surgical system is right for you. Need a doctor? Find a doctor online or call our free physician referral service at 310-517-4700.