University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison, Wisconsin offers robotic-assisted thoracic procedures as an alternative to conventional, open surgeries. The benefits of robotic surgery are numerous, and patients avoid the blood loss, pain and scarring that typically corresponds with a traditional thoracic procedure.

 

With the use of the da Vinci® System, thymectomies and other potentially traumatic procedures can be performed through one to two cm incisions, without spreading or cutting the breastbone or ribs, thereby minimizing many of the uncomfortable drawbacks of surgery.

 

Studies suggest that this less invasive approach can greatly reduce recovery time, pain and trauma associated with thoracic surgery.

 

For most patients, minimally invasive thoracic procedures performed with the da Vinci Surgical System can offer numerous potential benefits over open-chest surgery, including: 

 

UW Hospital and Clinics offers robotic thoracic procedures for the following conditions and procedures:

• Myasthenia Gravis (MG) (Thymectomy) and Thyomoma (Thymectomy)
• Lung Cancer (Lung Resection)
• Esophageal Cancer and Barrett's Esophagus (Esophagectomy)
• Achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders (Heller Myotomy)
• Gastroesophageal Reflex Disease (GERD) (Nissen Fundoplication or other anti-reflux surgery)
• Hiatal Hernia, Paraesophageal Hernia, and other Diaphragm Hernias (Hernia Repair)
• Benign (non-cancerous) lesions of the esophagus such as leiomyomas and esophageal cysts
• Mediastinal mass excision)