Chest wall resection and reconstruction performed robotically using different techniques.

Abstract

Chest wall resections have historically been performed via large thoracotomy incisions. A small number of minimally invasive resections have been reported so far. As robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) utilization is growing, chest wall resections via this approach will become necessary. In this video tutorial, we present tips and tricks drawn from our experience with totally robotic chest wall resections and reconstructions, which include chest wall resection en bloc with lung resections, Pancoast tumours, isolated rib resections, cartilaginous chest wall resections and reconstructions following chest wall resection or trauma. The use of a Gigli saw, Kerrison rongeur cutters, and ultrasound drills to divide the bony parts, detachment of the target chest wall area with monopolar or bipolar diathermy, and reconstruction of the defect with mesh, using either suturing or a fixation device, is presented. Finally, general recommendations are reported in an effort to render RATS chest wall resection widely utilized in the surgical practice.