No abstract

Robotic pulmonary resections prove to be safe and effective even at the initial learning experience. The duration of operations is considered to be acceptable. The learning curve could be established after 14 cases.

Both RATS and VATS pulmonary segmentectomy operations are performed with similar morbidity and mortality rates. Although the duration of operation is longer in RATS when compared with an established VATS programme, there is a tendency towards a shorter postoperative stay.

Advances in technology cause major developments in minimally invasive thoracic surgery practice. The expected benefits of minimally invasive pulmonary surgery are clear and mostly as follows;shorter hospital stay, fast recovery, less pain, and decreased morbidity and mortality. Robotic surgery with improved visualization and instrumental technical capabilities has become an attractive tool for surgeons who are performing lung resections. However, robotic surgery still seems far away from standardization even in the basic fundamental which is "the best approach for docking". In this article, we would like to share our experience in robotic surgery with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) based or in other terms "roboticassisted" approach, and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. We speculate that, especially at early experience, VATS based approach or "robotic-assisted approach" may provide a smooth start up with the support of the experienced table surgeon.

Maintaining skin integrity after closure is of the utmost importance because contamination during the first hours of the procedure may cause PVGI. Cyanoacrylate seems to be a promising molecule not only because of its bacteriostatic effects, but also because it seals the barrier effectively and immediately.