Robotic lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Long-term oncologic results

Objective(s): We evaluated a large series of patients undergoing robotic lobectomy for the treatment of earlystage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to assess long-term oncologic efficacy. Methods: A multi-institutional retrospective review of patients undergoing robotic lobectomy for NSCLC was performed. Robotic lobectomy was performed in a manner consistent with the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) consensus video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy technique using a robotic surgical system. Perioperative outcomes and long-term follow-up were recorded prospectively, and survival was calculated from the date of surgery to last follow-up. Results: From November 2002 through May 2010, a total of 325 consecutive patients underwent robotic lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC at 3 institutions. The median age of patients was 66 years (range, 30-87 years), and 37%(120) were female. The majority were in clinical stage I (IA, 247; IB, 63). Conversion rate to thoracotomy was 8%(27/325). Overall morbidity rate was 25.2%(82/325), and major complication rate was 3.7%(12/325). There was 1 in-hospital death (0.3%), and the median length of stay was 5 days (range, 2-28 days). Pathologic stage distribution was 54%(176) IA, 22%(72) IB, 13%(41) IIA, 5%(15) IIB, and 6%(21) IIIA. With a median follow-up of 27 months, overall 5-year survival was 80%(95% confidence intervals [CI] = 73-88), and by pathologic stage, 91% (CI = 83-99) for stage IA, 88% (CI = 77-98) for stage IB, and 49% (CI = 24-74) for all patients with stage II disease. Overall 3-year survival for patients with stage IIIA disease was 43%(CI = 16-69). Conclusions: Robotic lobectomy for early-stage NSCLC can be performed with low morbidity and mortality. Long-term stage-specific survival is acceptable and consistent with prior results for VATS and thoracotomy. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012; 143:383-9)