Penn Develops Robotic Approaches for Treating Lung Disease

The thoracic surgeons at Penn Medicine are leaders in developing and applying minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat chest and lung diseases, including cancer.

Minimally invasive alternatives to traditional open-chest surgery, including robotic-assisted surgery, are used to treat many diseases in the chest and lungs, including lung cancer, thymic and mediastinal tumors, emphysema, hiatal hernias, fluid in the chest and chest infections, according to Taine Pechet, MD, Penn thoracic surgeon and vice chief of surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Lobectomy (removal of a section of the lung) is a common surgical treatment for lung cancer. Dr. Pechet said last year nearly half of all lobectomy surgeries were performed minimally invasively using video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATs). With the recent addition of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, Penn surgeons are extending the minimally invasive surgical options available to treat patients.

"Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery is relatively new in the U.S.," Dr. Pechet said. "Penn Medicine is an early innovator in the use of robotic-assisted surgery and is developing the techniques and strategies that will define the role of robotic-assisted surgery in the treatment of lung diseases."

For patients, the benefits of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery may include:

• Less early post-operative pain
• Less risk of infection
• Less anesthesia
• Less blood loss
• Less risk of abnormal heart rhythms
• Better early lung function
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster and more complete recovery
• Quicker return to normal daily activities

For surgeons, the surgical robot's 3D visualization and added degree of movement allow increased control and precision, a key element in performing successful lung surgery. Dr. Pechet said Penn's thoracic surgeons are currently developing the best ways to apply this technology to chest surgery. As new technology and surgical techniques emerge, Penn's experienced surgeons are positioned to use the new techniques as soon as they become available.

Dr. Pechet sees patients and performs surgery at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and sees patients at The Penn Lung Center at Shore Memorial Hospital. For more information, visit the Penn Lung Center. Appointments can be made online or by calling 800-789-PENN (7366).