da Vinci Thoracoscopy for Lobectomy (Non-small cell lung cancer)
If you’ve been diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, your doctor will discuss all treatment and surgical options with you. He/she may suggest surgery to remove part of your lung (lobe). The operation is called a lobectomy. It can be done using open surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
At McLaren, our surgeons offer minimally invasive robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, providing patients with a superior alternative to open surgery.
While surgery is generally the most effective way to treat disorders of the lungs and esophagus, traditional open surgery has a number of drawbacks caused primarily by the large incision required. Open thoracic surgery also spreads the ribs to access the chest cavity, leading to long recovery times of eight to twelve weeks as well as a long delay before returning to normal daily activities.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
One minimally invasive surgical option is thoracoscopy, also called video-assisted thoracic surgery or VATS. Doctors insert a tiny camera and surgical instruments into your chest through small incisions. The camera sends images to a video screen to guide doctors as they operate. Another minimally invasive option for patients facing lobectomy is da Vinci® Surgery.
McLaren's surgeons operate using advanced da Vinci® robotic-assisted surgical technology and the most advanced thoracic surgical procedures, making a few small incisions without splitting the breastbone or separating the ribs. Using magnified 3D high-definition and special instruments, McLaren physicians operate with enhanced vision, precision and control.
The Minimally Invasive Advantage
McLaren has the expert physicians and state-of-the-art technology to be the region's source for robotic-assisted thoracic surgery. This gives our patients access to better outcomes, including minimal scarring, less pain and bleeding, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and a faster recovery compared to traditional surgery.
Benefits of da Vinci® assisted lobectomy can include:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter chest tube duration
- Less or similar rate of blood loss and/or transfusions
- Smaller incisions for less scarring