Efficacy of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pulmonary sequestration in children

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) in the treatment of pulmonary sequestration (PS) in children.MethodsAll video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and RAST performed on patients with PS at a single center from May 2019 to July 2023 were identified. Theχ2and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare the perioperative outcomes between VATS and RATS groups.ResultsNinety-three patients underwent RATS while 77 patients underwent VATS. In both two groups, one patient converted to thoracotomy and no surgical mortality case. The median operation time was longer for the RATS group compared with the VATS group (75 minvs.60 min,p<0.001). A lower ratio of chest tube indwelling (61.3%vs.90.9%,p<0.001), fewer drainage days (1.0 dayvs.2.0 days,p<0.001), and a shorter postoperative length of stay (5.0 daysvs.6.0 days,p<0.001) were found in the RATS group than that in the VATS group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of short-term postoperative complications (hydrothorax and pneumothorax) between two groups.ConclusionsRATS was safe and effective in children with PS over 6 months old and more than 7 kg. Furthermore, RATS led to better short-time postoperative outcome than VATS. Multi-institutional studies are warranted to compare differences in long-term outcomes between RATS and VATS.