ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical experience of Da Vinci robotic-assisted left upper lobectomy for treating lung cancer.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the perioperative data of 33 patients with primary lung cancer who underwent Da Vinci robotic-assisted left upper lobectomy between December 2016 and December 2018 in our hospital. Meanwhile, the perioperative data of 41 patients with lung cancer who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy during the same period by the same surgeon were studied as a control group. The resection was followed by the principle of "from back down to front up" way. Systemic lymph node dissection including No.4-9 was performed for all patients.ResultsAll patients received successful surgery with no case of conversion to thoracotomy and perioperative death. Comparing to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, the Da Vinci robotic-assisted left upper lobectomy had longer operating time (191.21±61.77 min vs. 154.51±38.81 min, P=0.003), more cost (82 307.75±11 859.03 yuan vs. 58 966.57±5 640.07 yuan, P=0.000), shorter chest tube duration (4.58±1.77 d vs. 5.41±1.52 d, P=0.031) and postoperative hospital stay (6.48±1.82 d vs. 7.66±2.12 d, P=0.014). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding to blood loss, lymph node dissection, postoperative pain score, total chest drainage volume, chest drainage volume per day and the rate of pulmonary complications.ConclusionThe Da Vinci robotic-assisted left upper lobectomy for treating lung cancer is safe and more minimally invasive, but more expensive.
