Robotic Thoracic Surgery
If the biopsy detects lung cancer, you will likely be referred to a thoracic surgeon to discuss the next steps of your treatment plan. A thoracic surgeon is specially trained to operate on the entire chest cavity – not only the lungs, but also the pleura, trachea, esophagus, diaphragm, mediastinum, ribs and breastbone, and all the connective muscles and tissues supporting this area of the body.
Depending on your specific condition, medical history, and anatomy, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive, robotic-assisted thoracic surgery to remove diseased lung tissue and possibly the lymph nodes surrounding it.
During robotic surgery, the surgeon inserts long-handled equipment (designed to move like human hands, but with a much greater precision and range of motion) and a camera into a few small incisions. The surgeon – who is in control at all times – will see magnified, 3-D images of the inside of your body on a video screen during your procedure.
The benefits of robotic-assisted surgery over traditional, “open” surgery (besides the smaller incisions) often include less pain and blood loss, a speedier recovery; and earlier release from the hospital.