Comparison of Uniportal Subxiphoid Lung Cancer Surgery Using Multi-Joint Wristed Instruments and Uniportal Lung Cancer Surgery Technique: Evaluation of Early Outcomes.

Abstract

Background: This study aims to compare the early outcomes of the surgeon-powered robotic uniportal subxiphoid resection technique with conventional uniportal techniques. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients operated on for lung cancer between January 2022 and December 2023, comparing those who underwent uniportal lung resection with those who received the uniportal subxiphoid surgical technique. Results: Out of 90 patients in the study, 31 underwent subxiphoid resection while 59 underwent the uniportal surgical technique. When comparing the average lengths of hospital stay, the subxiphoid group had an average stay of 3.8 ± 1.2 days while the uniportal surgery group had an average stay of 4.8 ± 1.9 days (P = .004). At the 1-hour postoperative evaluation, the visual analog scale score for the subxiphoid group averaged 2.2 ± 1, while the uniportal surgery group averaged 3.2 ± 1.6 (P = .002). Complications were observed in four patients (12.9%) in the subxiphoid group and eight patients (13.5%) in the uniportal surgery group (P = .927). Conclusion: Uniportal subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery resections are safe and provide advantages such as less postoperative pain and shorter hospital stays for patients.