Robot-assisted thoracoscopic right upper bi-lobectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis.

Abstract

Surgery is one of the current options in cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with failed medication treatment. Lobectomy and bi-lobectomy constitute up to one third of all surgical procedures in such cases. Nevertheless, fibrotic changes near the hilar structures and lymph nodes are limitation factors for spread of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) anatomical pulmonary resection. Robotic surgery can reduce some disadvantages of VATS. This is well illustrated by the large pulmonary resections. Current case report showed first robot-assisted thoracoscopic (RATS) bi-lobectomy for pulmonary tuberculosis with good results 1-year follow-up.