Robotic surgery shows shorter operation time and reduced blood loss compared to VATS or open thoracotomy in central NSCLC cases

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The international journal of medical robotics + computer assisted surgery : MRCAS Published June 1, 2026 Medically reviewed June 1, 2026 Study authors: Wang Chen, Qiao Liyan, Xu Yiming, Li Xuyang, Qiu Lingdong PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development

Key Takeaway

Consider RATS for central NSCLC sleeve lobectomy given shorter operation time and equivalent survival.

This Bayesian network meta-analysis evaluates Robotic Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (RATS) versus Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and Open Thoracotomy (OP) for central non-small cell lung cancer. The analysis included 776 individuals requiring bronchial sleeve lobectomy. RATS demonstrated shorter operation time, diminished intraoperative blood loss, and reduced postoperative drainage time. No elevation in complication frequency or difference in long-term survival was observed. The authors note that adverse events were not reported.

The study found that the frequency of postoperative complications showed no elevation with RATS. Additionally, the postoperative long-term survival rate was equivalent across the compared surgical approaches. These findings suggest RATS is a viable option for specific lung cancer cases.

Limitations include the lack of reported adverse events and the absence of specific p-values or confidence intervals for the outcomes. The practice relevance indicates RATS has emerged as a viable and potentially favoured surgical approach for bronchial sleeve lobectomy.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

PMID42140880

View Original Abstract ↓

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of Robotic Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (RATS) in comparison to Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and Open Thoracotomy (OP) in bronchial sleeve lobectomy (BSL) by Bayesian network meta-analysis. METHODS: After searching Pubmed, the Cochrane Library and Embase for research, 7 papers with 776 individuals with central non-small cell lung cancer that required BSL were found. Data for analysis entailed intraoperative outcomes, complications, and long-term survival. RESULTS: The RATS group exhibited a shorter operation time, diminished intraoperative blood loss, and reduced postoperative drainage time without an elevation in the frequency of postoperative complications; in Additionally, the RATS group demonstrated an equivalent postoperative long-term survival rate when juxtaposed with the VATS and OP groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with VATS and OP in BSL, RATS has a better intraoperative application effect, less surgical impact and the same long-term survival rate. RATS has emerged as a viable and potentially favoured surgical approach for BSL.