Objective To summarize our initial experience in robot-assisted lobectomy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC）. Methods A total of 20 NSCLC patients underwent robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from March to September 2012. There were 13 males and 7 females, and their age was 43-80 （60.40±8.07） years. Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy technique was used，and systemic mediastinal and hilar lymph node dissection was routinely performed during the operation. There were 4 right upper lobectomies，7 right lower lobectomies，1 right middle lobectomy，7 left lower lobectomies，and 1 left upper lobectomy. Results Postoperative pathological examination showed adenocarcinoma in 12 patients，squamous cell carcinoma in 5 patients，adenosquamous carcinoma in 2 patients，and mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 1 patient. One patient undergoing left upper lobectomy had intraoperative pulmonary artery bleeding of 500 ml，who was healed by pulmonary artery repair via an accessory small incision and blood transfusion of 400 ml. All the other 19 patients successfully underwent robot-assisted lobectomy with their mean intraoperative blood loss of 60.00±42.95 （10-200） ml, and no blood transfusion was needed for them. All the patients were successfully extubated after operation, and none of the patients had severe postoperative complication. The mean thoracic drainage time was 9.35±3.48 （3-15） days. All the patients were discharged uneventfully and followed up for 2-9 （6.01±2.09） months without recurrence or metastasis. Conclusions Robot-assisted pulmonary lobectomy using Da Vinci S Surgical System is safe and feasible，and especially advantageous for lymph node dissection. It can be used for the treatment of early stage NSCLC.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and advantage of the da Vinci S Surgical System in operation of the mediastinal tumor without chest tube. MethodsFrom March 2011 up to March 2015, 39 patients in our hospital with mediastinal tumor underwent resection without a chest tube by da Vinci System were as a no chest tube group with 24 males and 15 females at age of 47.28 (18-73) years. In the same period, 50 patients with mediastinal cyst underwent resection with a chest tube insertion by da Vinci System were as a chest tube group with 25 males and 25 females at age of 49.24 (22-82) years. Clinical data of the two groups were collected and compared. ResultThere were statistical differences in mean operative time (61.97±16.41min vs. 79.90±33.19 min, P=0.003), time of ICU stay (1.23±0.48 d vs. 2.16±0.82 d, P=0.000), time of postoperative hospitalization (3.77±1.16 d vs. 5.62±2.22 d, P=0.000), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (3.05±1.76 vs. 4.54±1.83). The clinical results in the no chest tube group were better than those in the chest tube group. All the procedures were successfully completed by da Vinci System in all the patients without conversions and any compilcation. ConclusionIt's safe and beneficial for patients without a chest tube after a mediastinal tumor resection with da Vinci S Surgical System with shorter hospital stay.