Robot-assisted lobectomy in a patient with poor lung function: Another advantage of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Abstract

Patients with poor lung function have a high-risk for pulmonary complications following lobectomy. The development of minimally invasive thoracic surgical techniques allows sicker patients to safely undergo lung resection. Robotic lobectomy could benefit these higher risk patients. Here we present a case of a 58-year-old female patient with poor lung function presented with a 3-cm mass in her lower left pulmonary lobe, who successfully underwent lobectomy via robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Her forced expiratory volume in one second was slightly improved compared to the preoperative value. Her forced vital capacity continued to improve in the follow-up period. There was no recorded recurrence during the three years follow-up period.

Keywords

• Poor lung function
• Lung cancer
• Robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
• Lobectomy