Early Experience of Uniportal Robotic-Assisted Anatomic Resection in Lung Cancer Patients: Is it Safe and Feasible for Direct Transition From Uniportal Video Thoracoscopic–Assisted Surgery to Uniportal Robotic-Assisted Surgery?

Background: Lung cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with surgery being a primary treatment option for early-stage cases. Minimally invasive surgery has gained attention due to its potential benefits. Uniportal robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is emerging as a viable option for treating lung cancer patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, conducted from August 2023 to December 2023, we assessed the feasibility of Uniportal robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (URATS) in 15 patients with 16 lung cancers. The perioperative and 30-day short-term outcome results were collected. Results: Perioperative outcomes, including length of hospital stay and postoperative complications, were evaluated. No perioperative or 30-day mortality was observed, and there were no cases requiring conversion to multiport RATS or thoracotomy. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that URATS can be successfully performed in lung cancer patients, provided the surgical team possesses excellent communication skills and extensive training in Uniport video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and comprehensive RATS techniques.