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.
Meet The Robotics Team
Surgeons transforming the operating room
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