Experience in lobectomy with Da Vinci robotic surgical system

Objective To summarize the experience in lobectomy with Da Vinci robotic surgical system. Methods The clinicaldataof 206 patients with lung cancer undergoing lobectomy with Da Vinci robotic surgical system between March 2012 and November 2015 in Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command were retrospectively analyzed. Among these patients, 120 were males and 86 were females, and the mean age was 61 years. The data were statistically explored by year, and the learning curve of robotic lobectomy was analyzed. Results All cases completed lobectomy and lymph node dissection with Da Vinci robotic surgical system. Among the 206 cases, there were right upper lobectomy in 58 cases, right lower lobectomy in 48 cases, right medium lobectomy in 11 cases, left upper lobectomy in 35 cases, left lower lobectomy in 53 cases, and both left upper lesion resection and right upper lobectomy in the other case. Three cases performed an additional small incision to repair the ruptured pulmonary artery. There was no transfer to open chest surgery. The postoperative pathological examinationindicated there were 157 cases of adenocarcinoma(including both sides of the case undergoing both left upper lesion resection and right upper lobectomy), 17 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 19 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma, 7 cases of small cell lung cancer, and 6 cases of other findings. There was no perioperative death. Conclusion Lobectomy with Da Vinci robotic surgical system is safe and effective, and a good teamwork can lead to a better result. Key words: Da Vinci robotic surgical system; Minimally invasive surgery; Lung cancer; Learning curve