Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Operations for Lung Cancer

Common minimally invasive procedures

A minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of health problems is the introspection. During an endoscopy, your healthcare provider (HCP) places an endoscope, which is a long, thin tube, into your body to get a close-up view of the part of the body they need to check. This tube usually has a light and a camera on the end of it, and your HCP looks at a screen that shows them what the camera sees.

There are many different types of introspection, but they all work in the same basic way. A type of endoscope called a laparoscope can be used with surgical instruments in a minimally invasive surgery called laparoscopy to check for problems in your stomach or pelvic area.

During a laparoscopy, the laparoscope is passed into your stomach through a small incision and displays images on a screen for your surgeon to see.

Robotic-assisted surgery is another minimally invasive procedure. It includes a high-definition (HD) camera that shows a close-up of the area and a robotic arm with tiny surgical tools at the end. There is also a control panel that looks like a video game joystick. The surgeon controls the robotic arm, which is a type of surgical instrument, to perform the operation.

When are minimally invasive procedures used?

While there will be times when more traditional procedures are needed, minimally invasive procedures can be used for many different health issues throughout the body – including lung cancer and other health problems that affect the lungs.

For example, HCPs may perform a type of endoscopy called a bronchoscopy who uses a tube to look inside your lungs and airways. This procedure can be used to check for lung cancer and tell how serious it is. Robotic bronchoscopywhich is done on systems like the Ion and Monarch, involves a smaller tube and a control panel that an HCP uses to move the tube in precise ways and reach parts of the lung that a traditional bronchoscopy can’t reach. A 3D map of the lungs allows the HCP controlling the tube to see exactly where the tube is and where it needs to go, guiding the tube to hard-to-reach nodules for biopsy.

Minimally invasive procedures can also be used to treat lung cancer and other lung problems. Instead of the traditional approach, which is open surgery called a thoracotomy, minimally invasive procedures use smaller incisions and often offer shorter recovery times. With video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)often used for small, early-stage lung cancer, your HCP makes a few small incisions in your chest, then uses a camera and special long-handled tools to perform the surgery while looking at a video screen.

With robotically assisted surgery, such as the da Vinci Surgical System or the Mako System, robotic arms (fully controlled by the doctor) are used in a minimally invasive way to treat more complex lung problems. Robotic-assisted surgery uses a video monitor with high-definition 3D imaging.

Benefits of minimally invasive procedures

Minimally invasive procedures only need small incisions, so there are many easier on the bodywhich can mean less pain for the patient, shorter recovery times and smaller scars. Additionally, studies have shown that robotic surgery is associated with better outcomes than other types of minimally invasive or open surgery both during and after surgery. The benefits of robotic surgery include a reduced need for blood transfusions, lower complication rates, shorter hospital stays, fewer hospital admissions, and even lower mortality rates.

Surgery that requires less cost can be especially helpful for people who undergo cancer treatment. When your body doesn’t have to work as hard to heal from surgery, it may be better able to handle what comes next in your treatment plan.

And this kind of minimally invasive cancer treatment is on the rise. A recent one study led by Duke University School of Medicine, which reviewed more than 76,000 lung cancer cases, found that lung cancer surgery is moving in a less invasive direction — particularly for younger and healthier patients.

“This is a very encouraging finding for the entire community of professionals who care for lung cancer patients,” said study author and Duke School of Medicine professor Xiaofei Wang, Ph.D. press release.

Know your options

Whether you’re facing the scary possibility of a lung cancer diagnosis or another health problem altogether, a minimally invasive procedure can be a potential treatment tool.

To learn more about your options for less invasive treatments, talk to your HCP. They can guide you through your options and help you choose the best one for your unique needs.