Robert Cameron.
UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of using minimally-invasive and specifically, robotic-assisted techniques in resection of chest wall lesions
METHODS: Patients with either primary chest wall (bony) tumors or secondary involvement of the chest wall with direct invasion of lung lesions who otherwise were eligible for minimally-invasive approaches to resection were offered minimally-invasive resection
RESULTS: Two patients with primary rib lesions and one patient with a superior sulcus lung cancer were resected with minimally-invasive and specifically with robotic-assistance. The use of the robot was particularly helpful in high chest wall lesions due to its ability to articulate. Successful resections were performed and large thoracotomy incisions were thereby avoided with enhanced recovery.
CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted, minimally-invasive surgical techniques can be successfully applied to chest wall lesions and avoid the often long recovery times from large thoracotomy incisions for access to specific chest wall areas, including the superior sulcus.
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