For patients with limited pulmonary function, For patients with limited pulmonary function, the thought of having to undergo a lung surgery can be stressful. This can be related to the fact of having to go undergo an open-chest surgery, which generally includes a risk of infection, a longer surgery duration, followed by a longer recovery period. This can be stressful for many. However, robotic lobectomy has changed the approach to how a pulmonary problem can be treated. With its benefits, patients facing breathing problems can consider this surgery and get back to normal.
Lobectomy: Why It's Done and The Challenges for High-Risk Patients
A lobectomy is a surgical removal of one of the five lung lobes, usually done for:
Lung cancer (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer): If the lobes are infected, their removal can stop the spread of the cancer.
Benign tumours: Airways can be impacted by benign tumours, affecting the breathing.
Severe lung disease or infections: Infected lobes can trigger or worsen diseases like tuberculosis or may cause abscesses. Their removal may prevent it from getting worse.
COPD and Emphysema situations: The remaining lung can be salvaged if the damaged or infected portion of the lung is surgically removed.
Patients suffering from lung problems like COPD or interstitial lung disease, the option of open lobectomy might not be suitable. The risk of compromised lung function in addition to the pain and trauma from the surgery may irritate the breathing even more post-operation.
How Robotic Lobectomy Makes Surgery Safer for High-Risk Patients
Robotic-assisted lobectomy is done with a minimally invasive technique. Rather than opening the chest with a big incision and spreading the ribs, robotic surgery employs small incisions, precise robotic arms, and high-definition 3D cameras to eliminate the diseased lung tissue.
Here's why it's the best choice for patients with poor lung function:
Smaller Incisions = Less Stress on the Body
Open-chest surgery results in extreme pain, trauma, and post-op breathing complications.
Robotic surgery involves small incisions that equal less pain, less bleeding, and fewer risks of post-op complications.
Quicker Recovery = More Rapid Return to Normal Lung Capacity
Open surgery mandates a 7+ day hospitalisation with extended recovery time.
Patients undergoing robotic lobectomy usually return home in 3–4 days and regain lung capacity much more quickly.
Decreased Risk of Postoperative Breathing Complications
High-risk lung patients tend to have difficulty with post-surgical breathing problems.
As robotic surgery spares more healthy lung tissue and eliminates unnecessary trauma, patients have fewer breathing difficulties after surgery.
More Accuracy for Fragile Lungs
The robotic system's 3D magnification and precision movement enable surgeons to manoeuvre around fragile lung tissues with unparalled accuracy. This translates into less trauma to the surrounding tissues, which is particularly important for patients who are already compromised by compromised lung function.
Who Stands to Gain the Most from Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy?
Robotic assisted lobectomy is especially ideal for:
Patients with early lung cancer: Where the tumour is localised in one lobe and a minimally invasive technique can guarantee improved recovery.
Patients with compromised lung function: Particularly those with COPD, emphysema, or prior lung disease who are at high risk for conventional surgery.
Frail or elderly patients: Robotic surgery minimises surgical stress, decreasing complications for older patients or those with other illnesses.
If you or a family member require lung surgery but worry about recovery and breathing complications, robotic lobectomy provides a far safer option.
The Robotic Lobectomy Procedure: What to Expect
Curious about what occurs before, during, and after robotic-assisted lobectomy? Here's a brief overview:
Before Surgery
Medical Testing: Pulmonary function tests, imaging scans, and pre-op testing decide whether robotic lobectomy is appropriate for you.
Pre-Surgery Preparation: In a few instances, patients receive breathing exercises or medication to prepare the lungs for surgery.
During Surgery
General anaesthesia is used to keep you comfortable.
A surgeon uses small incisions to control robotic arms, removing the diseased lobe carefully while leaving as much healthy lung tissue intact as possible.
No big chest cut: No need for rib spread; less post-op pain and breathing issues.
Post-Surgery
Less time in the hospital: Most robot lobectomy patients are home 3-4 days after surgery.
Quicker lung recovery: Breathing therapy and gentle mobilisation recover lung function faster than open surgery.
Less pain: Less trauma, so less use of heavy pain pills.
Are There Any Risks?
Though robotic-assisted lobectomy is among the safest alternatives for high-risk lung patients, no surgery can be completely risk-free. There are some risks, including:
Air leaks: Normal after lung surgery, though robotic surgery reduces the risk.
Bleeding: Minor risk, but not as frequent as with open surgery.
Pneumonia: Post-op breathing exercises must be stringently followed by patients with bad lung function in order to avoid infection.
Nonetheless, research indicates that robotic-assisted surgery carries fewer complications than conventional lobectomy, particularly in high-risk patients.
Breathe Easier with Robotic-Assisted Lobectomy
Patients who were once informed that they were "too high-risk" for lung surgery now have a second chance. By reducing trauma, decreasing recovery time, and enhancing postoperative breathing function, robotic surgery is transforming lung care for marginal pulmonary function patients.
At Thangam Robotic Institute (TRI) in Tamil Nadu, the doctors have expertise in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, offering safer, more accurate, and patient-centric treatment. If you or your loved one are planning lung surgery, a discussion with their specialists will help you understand how robotic-assisted lobectomy may be the best option for you.