UF Health The Villages® Hospital
The da Vinci® surgical system is the most innovative technology available for minimally invasive surgery. With the da Vinci system, surgeons can perform surgeries that are both complex and minimally invasive. Using sophisticated computer and robotic-aided technology, the da Vinci system simulates the open surgical environment required for complex surgeries, but without the need for large incisions. Currently, surgeons perform thoracic surgeries such as:
- Lobectomy to remove a lobe of the lung
- Pneumonectomy to remove the lung
- Thoracotomy to divide some of the muscles of the chest wall
What is robotic thoracic surgery?
Robotic thoracic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery used in thoracic procedures for some lung cancer cases. Also called robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, it can be used to remove diseased lung tissue and possibly surrounding lymph nodes. During the procedure, the surgeon removes lung tissue through one of the tiny incisions made by the robot. The magnified view and wristed instruments allow the surgeon to make precise, controlled movements to remove lung tissue without having to make larger incisions to open up the chest or spread the ribs. When appropriate, this technique is also used for other types of chest procedures involving the lungs, esophagus, thymus, and certain cardiac procedures, besides lung cancer surgery.* (*Contains information from the American Lung Association)
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
- Adrian J. Finol, MD