Robotic Thoracic Surgery with da Vinci

Transform minimally invasive surgery with da Vinci lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection and other thoracic and foregut procedures

Advancing what’s possible in lung cancer care and da Vinci robotic thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery is complex and demanding. In every chest procedure, you face the challenges of operating within constrained spaces in and around critical structures while minimizing the risk of complications.

The da Vinci surgical system has opened up the possibilities for minimally invasive thoracic surgery and is the leading modality¹ for lobectomy in the U.S. With SureForm stapling, Firefly fluorescence imaging, and your choice of wristed instruments, you can navigate the thoracic cavity and perform a range of procedures with flexibility.

With the Ion robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system, Intuitive is uniquely equipped to help you transform lung cancer care. Intuitive’s technologies span biopsy to intervention and are connected by a digital ecosystem that transforms your robotic performance data into actionable insights.

Learn how Dr. Ross thinks thoracic oncology programs can benefit from using Ion and da Vinci in tandem to enhance lung cancer care. And see how the da Vinci system enables Drs. Servais, Soukiasian, Cerfolio, and Oh to perform lung resection and esophagectomy.

Building a thoracic oncology program

Dr. Patrick Ross was an early pioneer in da Vinci thoracic surgery. Learn how he sees the da Vinci and Ion systems working together to improve lung cancer care.

Sep 04, 2020 | 00:04:18

Building a thoracic oncology program

Dr. Patrick Ross was an early pioneer in da Vinci thoracic surgery. Learn how he sees the da Vinci and Ion systems working together to improve lung cancer care.

Sep 04, 2020 | 00:04:18
Right upper lobectomy with narrated lymph node dissection

Dr. Elliot Servais explains how the da Vinci Xi allows him to perform complex minimally invasive lung resections and shares best practices for lymph node dissection in a right upper lobectomy.

Dec 19, 2019 | 01:54:05
Lung-sparing segmentectomy

Dr. Harmik Soukiasian performs a lung-sparing segmenectomy using da Vinci Xi and SureForm stapling.

Oct 17, 2023 | 00:08:37
Esophageal anastomosis compilation

Drs. Cerfolio, Oh, Servais, and Soukiasian demonstrate esophageal anastomosis techniques using the da Vinci Xi, SureForm stapling, and Firefly fluorescence imaging.

Oct 17, 2023 | 00:11:38

Peers on the frontier of thoracic surgery and thoracic oncology programming

View our webinars for peer-to-peer learning dedicated to supporting thoracic surgeons in their pursuit of excellence throughout their careers. Hear directly from other surgeons about their experiences with the comprehensive Intuitive ecosystem of systems, learning and services, connected by digital insights.

Get the latest tips on techniques, expanding your practice, and building a thoracic oncology program with Intuitive. Topics include surgeons’ experiences with incorporating both da Vinci and Ion into a practice, performing technically challenging procedures, such as complex segmentectomies, and progressing through the da Vinci learning curve.

View upcoming webinars

Recent clinical evidence for da Vinci lobectomy

Thoracic surgeons’ continued adoption of da Vinci systems has yielded a substantial body of peer-reviewed evidence, exceeding 1,900 publications. The literature demonstrates a record of positive results for some key clinical outcomes² for da Vinci lobectomy, and that record continues to grow.

Improving lobectomy outcomes with da Vinci

A landmark study evaluates outcomes for da Vinci robotic-assisted, video-assisted thorascopic (VATS) and open lobectomy, including length of hospital stay, operative time, and conversion rate.

Read the summary

Analyzing the perioperative cost of lobectomy

A propensity-score matched study compares the outcomes and 30-day perioperative cost of da Vinci robotic, VATS, and open lobectomy.

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Exploring opioid administration after lobectomy

See a propensity-score matched analysis of opioid administration following da Vinci robotic, VATS, and open lobectomy.

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Evaluating robotic stapling in da Vinci lobectomy

A propensity-score matched study reviews the association of robotic stapling with outcomes such as air leak rate and hospitalization cost in da Vinci lobectomy.

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Intuitive innovations for your practice

We don’t just build robots. We design holistic solutions. Over the years, we’ve created a comprehensive ecosystem of systems, learning and services, connected by digital insights, that helps you advance what’s possible in minimally invasive care.

Thoracic surgeon and pulmonologist with Ion

Reimagine lung cancer care

Designed to enhance reach, precision, and stability,³ Ion affords access to all lung segments, giving clinicians the confidence to get early answers for patients.

Explore Ion

Staple with complete control

SureForm, Intuitive’s advanced stapler for da Vinci systems, lets you staple at an angle of articulation beyond the capabilities of standard laparoscopic staplers,⁴ which may be helpful in segmentectomy and other complex procedures.

Explore SureForm

SimNow training module showing a lobectomy

Expand your thoracic surgery skills

Da Vinci learning offers a range of training pathways and technologies. Simulation with SimNow lets you practice lobectomy technique on all five lobes of the lung. Experience realistic lung tissue response and guidance on thoracic cavity limits.

Explore Learning

Your destination for current topics in thoracic oncology and da Vinci surgery

Tune into a webinar to get the latest surgeon insights on da Vinci lobectomy, segmentectomy, wedge resection, and more. Learn about thoracic oncology program excellence.

View upcoming webinars

Towe CW, Servais EL, Brown LM, et al. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database: 2023 Update on Outcomes and Research. Ann Thorac Surg. 2024;117(3):489-496. doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2023.11.021
An internal meta-analysis of literature published between January 1, 2010-December 31, 2022, showed lobectomy using the da Vinci surgical systems was associated with shorter length of stay, lower conversion rates to open surgery, and lower 30-day readmission and mortality rates than VATS lobectomy. This summary of clinical results reflects an Intuitive internal pooled meta-analysis of 30 peer-reviewed robotic lobectomy publications. The analysis showed lobectomy with the da Vinci was associated with longer operative time than VATS lobectomy, and comparable lymph node yield and rates of 30-day postoperative complications, 30-day reoperations, blood transfusions, nodal upstaging, positive surgical margins to VATS lobectomy. Data on file at Intuitive.
Comparisons of reach are relative to manual bronchoscopes. Reach is defined by airway generation access. Comparisons of precision and stability are relative to manual techniques. Precision is the ability to place a biopsy tool in a desired location consistently. Stability is enabled by fiber optic sensing technology which maintains active robotic control of catheter position and corrects unwanted tip deflection. Results based on internal testing.
~25% of SureForm stapler fires are at an angle of articulation beyond the capabilities of standard laparoscopic staplers. Intuitive analysis of procedures completed between April 29, 2021 and April 28, 2023.

Disclosures and important safety information

Financial disclosure

The independent healthcare professionals in this material have received compensation from Intuitive for consulting and/or educational services.

Da Vinci Important safety information

Serious complications may occur in any surgery, including surgery with a da Vinci system, up to and including death. Examples of serious or life-threatening complications, which may require prolonged and/or unexpected hospitalization and/or reoperation, include but are not limited to, one or more of the following: injury to tissues/organs, bleeding, infection, and internal scarring that can cause long-lasting dysfunction/pain.

Risks specific to minimally invasive surgery, including surgery with a da Vinci system, include but are not limited to, one or more of the following: temporary pain/nerve injury associated with positioning; a longer operative time, the need to convert to an open approach, or the need for additional or larger incision sites. Converting the procedure could result in a longer operative time, a longer time under anesthesia, and could lead to increased complications. Contraindications applicable to the use of conventional endoscopic instruments also apply to the use of all da Vinci instruments.

For important safety information, including surgical risks and considerations, please also refer to www.intuitive.com/safety. For a product’s intended use and/or indications for use, risks, full cautions, and warnings, please refer to the associated user manual(s).

Individual outcomes may depend on a number of factors—including but not limited to—patient characteristics, disease characteristics, and/or surgeon experience.

Da Vinci Xi/X system

The demonstration of safety and effectiveness for the representative specific procedures did not include evaluation of outcomes related to the treatment of cancer (overall survival, disease-free survival, local recurrence) or treatment of the patient’s underlying disease/condition. Device usage in all surgical procedures should be guided by the clinical judgment of an adequately trained surgeon.

Ion Important safety information

Ion endoluminal system

The Ion endoluminal system (Model IF1000) assists the user in navigating a catheter and endoscopic tools in the pulmonary tract using endoscopic visualization of the tracheobronchial tree for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The Ion endoluminal system enables fiducial marker placement. It does not make a diagnosis and is not for pediatric use.

Information provided by the Ion endoluminal system or its components should be considered guidance only and not replace clinical decisions made by a trained physician.

The Flexision biopsy needle is used with the Ion endoluminal system to biopsy tissue from a target area in the lung.

The PlanPoint software uses patient CT scans to create a 3D plan of the lung and navigation pathways for use with the Ion endoluminal system.

Da Vinci SimNow

Da Vinci SimNow is intended to augment, not replace, existing training programs for the da Vinci surgical systems.

Product training

Training provided by Intuitive is limited to the use of the da Vinci surgical system and does not replace the necessary medical training and experience required to perform surgery. The da Vinci surgical system should be used only by surgeons who have received specific training in its use. Before performing any procedure using a da Vinci system, physicians are responsible for receiving sufficient training and proctoring to ensure that they have the skill and experience necessary to protect the health and safety of their patients.