Robotic Surgery

Robotic Thoracic Surgery

Thoracic Surgeons specialize in the surgical treatment of disorders in and around the chest. Historically, and still currently in many hospitals around the country, chest or upper abdominal surgery involves significantly invasive operations. This, in turn, leads to a longer and more painful recovery for the patient.

The surgeons in the Section of General Thoracic Surgery at Emory are experts in performing minimally invasive procedures using smaller incisions, specialized instruments like the da Vinci robotic surgical system, and other dedicated technologies. Greater than three quarters of the thoracic surgeries at Emory are performed using minimally-invasive techniques.

This allows our patients to have less pain, shorter hospital stays, smaller scars and, most importantly, a quicker recovery and return to normal activities and work.

Robotic Surgical System

Surgery is performed with multiple incisions less than an inch each through which specialized instruments are placed without spreading or breaking the ribs. The surgeon is able to visualize the chest or abdominal cavity using a controllable, high-definition 3D camera that provides a detailed precise view. The surgeon directs robotic instruments via a console which mimic natural hand and wrist motions to perform the necessary tasks with precision.

The thoracic surgeons at Emory have many years of combined experience in performing robotic surgeries in the chest and abdomen for various disorders. Common operations include:

  • Robotic lung surgery (wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy, pneumonectomy)
  • Robotic thymectomy
  • Robotic mediastinal mass resection
  • Robotic diaphragm plication
  • Robotic esophagectomy
  • Robotic esophageal diverticulectomy
  • Robotic paraesophageal/hiatal hernia repair
  • Robotic myotomy for achalasia
  • And many more…

You can consult with a robotic thoracic surgeon at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Emory Johns Creek Hospital and Emory University Hospital Midtown.