UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas has become the first healthcare provider in North Texas to offer single-port robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy for select patients with early-stage lung cancer. Since March, surgeons at the institution have performed 13 single-port pulmonary resections, which include both lobectomies and segmentectomies.
The procedure utilizes the da Vinci SP, a robotic surgical system that received FDA clearance in 2024 for specific urologic and thoracoscopic applications. The technology enables surgeons to remove tumors and surrounding tissue through a single incision measuring approximately one inch, located below the rib cage. This minimally invasive approach is designed to potentially reduce postoperative pain and shorten hospital stays compared to traditional surgical methods.
Takashi Eguchi, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at UT Southwestern, stated that the adoption of this technology extends the institution's comprehensive thoracic oncology program. The goal is to provide patients with an efficient, complete, and timely treatment pathway. The procedures are performed by Eguchi and Aitua Salami, MD, MPH, who is also an assistant professor and a member of the Harold C Simmons Cancer Center.
To ensure precise resections, the surgical team employs advanced imaging techniques, including 3D reconstruction and near-infrared technology. These tools assist in localizing lung nodules that may not be visible using standard white light imaging. Salami noted that the institution implements an accelerated treatment pathway for patients with suspicious lung nodules. In some instances, this process moves patients from nodule identification to definitive treatment within a few days, a timeframe that is shorter than the several weeks or months often required at lower-volume centers.
Salami explained that patients may experience less pain after single-port robotic resection because the access point is below the rib cage rather than through the chest. For eligible patients, the technique may lead to earlier recovery, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and a lower risk of specific postoperative complications.
