Robotic and Thoracoscopic Surgery
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Thoracoscopic (VATS) surgery and robotic surgery
The Challenge of Traditional Thoracic Surgery
Thoracic procedures are among the most painful operations performed by surgeons. Historically, the majority of thoracic surgeries were conducted through large incisions (posterolateral thoracotomies), which necessitated cutting substantial muscles on the side and back. These incisions were not only extremely painful but also debilitating.
Pioneering Thoracoscopic Lung Resections
During my residency in thoracic surgery, my mentors—David Sugarbaker and Steven Mentzer at BWH—and I developed one of the pioneering techniques to perform an anatomically correct robotic lobectomy, or lung resection. This procedure involves three small incisions, and research has shown that patients stand a better chance of surviving both the surgery and the recovery period when undergoing thoracoscopic surgery compared to posterolateral thoracotomies. I have performed over three thousand of these procedures.
Robotic Innovation in Lung Cancer Surgery
In the course of my career, robotic surgical techniques have been developed, allowing for more complex procedures to be completed in a minimally invasive manner. The robot offers superior vision with a binocular scope as opposed to a monocular scope. The robotic instruments facilitate more thorough cancer operations, including more complete lymph node dissections.
Early Detection, Precise Resection
Robotic techniques also enable the preservation of lung tissue if the cancer is detected early. We can utilize a combination of robotic bronchoscopy and fluorescent dyes to identify and localize small cancers, thus curing them with significantly limited resections.
Setting the Standard of Care
In my professional opinion, robotic lung resections now represent the standard of care. I have conducted hundreds of these procedures.