Is Robotic Lung or Chest Surgery Right for You?

If you need surgery on your lungs, esophagus or another area inside your chest, you may have the option of robotic surgery. The word "robotic" can sound intimidating, but the robot doesn't perform the operation. Your surgeon controls every movement.

“In most cases, thoracic surgeries — surgeries involving the lungs, esophagus and other organ inside the chest — can be done robotically, especially by a well-trained robotic thoracic surgeon,” says Manu Sancheti, MD, a thoracic surgeon at Emory Healthcare who has performed over 1,700 robotic operations. Robotic surgery can help many people recover faster with less pain than traditional open surgery.

Here’s what to know about robotic thoracic surgery, who it can help, what recovery looks like and what to ask your surgeon.

Robotic thoracic surgery, also called robotic chest surgery, is a minimally invasive way to operate on the lungs and other organs in the chest.

It’s the same operation surgeons have performed for years as open surgery, except they do it through smaller incisions with a lighted camera. Smaller incisions often mean less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to work, school and everyday life.

Dr. Sancheti says his patients often worry that the robot does the surgery. It doesn’t. During the procedure, your surgeon controls small robotic instruments and a high-definition 3D camera from a nearby console.

“There’s a misconception that the robot is actually doing the operation,” says Dr. Sancheti. “That’s not the case at all. Robotics is just an instrument. It allows improved visualization, dexterity and instrumentation. But the surgeon is always in control of the robotic arm.”

In general, yes.

“Most patients are candidates for robotic surgery,” says Dr. Sancheti. “Our first thought is always: How can we do it robotically?”

Whether robotics is right for you depends on what you need removed, where it sits, how well your lungs and heart work, and previous procedures you’ve had. The complexity of the operation and your surgeon’s experience also play a role.

At Emory, 93% -95% of thoracic surgeries are minimally invasive. Roughly 80% -90% of those are robotic. 

Get a second opinion

If a provider says you need open surgery, it’s worth asking again. Some people who’ve been told that robotic surgery isn’t an option may still be candidates for a minimally invasive approach.

“Always ask if robotics and minimally invasive surgery are an option,” says Dr. Sancheti.

You usually don’t need a referral to get started.

“The surgeon can be the first stop,” says Dr. Sancheti. “You can always start with us, and we can help determine the right place to go.”

Compared with open surgery, robotic thoracic surgery uses smaller incisions and doesn’t require the surgeon to spread the ribs. That typically means less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to daily life.

The technology also gives surgeons a magnified 3D view and greater precision when operating in small spaces.

Here’s how open surgery compares to robotic surgery for a lobectomy, one of the most common lung cancer surgeries.

	Robotic surgery	Open surgery
Incisions	Four or five incisions about 8 mm each, or one incision about 1 inch long with single-port surgery	One incision about 8 inches long
Ribs	Instruments pass between the ribs	Ribs are often spread
Typical hospital stay	About two days	About seven days
Pain management	Stronger pain medicine for one week to 10 days	Intense pain can last six to eight weeks
Soreness and fatigue	About one month	Close to three months

Robotic surgery does have its limits. It is still a major surgery and requires general anesthesia. In some cases, your surgeon may switch to an open approach during the operation if it’s the safer choice.

As with any surgery, outcomes can be influenced by a surgeon's training and experience.

Recovery after robotic thoracic surgery depends on your operation. In general, you spend less time in the hospital than with an open surgery. For example, after a robotic lobectomy, most people go home in about two days.

After an open lobectomy, they go home in about seven days.

You can expect to get up and walk the day after surgery, while you’re still in the hospital.

“We want patients to return to as much function as they can as soon as possible,” says Dr. Sancheti.

Once you’re home, you should ease back into your normal routine. You likely won’t feel 100% yourself for two to four weeks, and you might feel sore or tired for about a month.

How is single-port robotic surgery different?

Single-port robotic surgery works through one small incision instead of four or five. The incision is about 1 inch long for a camera and three instruments to bend and work inside the body. 

Standard robotic surgery uses four or five small incisions, each about 8 millimeters, one for each robotic arm. With single-port surgery, you only have one incision, which can mean less pain and a quicker return to daily life. 

Single-port surgery isn’t right for every case. Whether it’s an option depends on your body size, anatomy and type of procedure. 

In June 2025, Dr. Sancheti became the first surgeon in Georgia to perform single-port robotic thoracic surgery. He has since completed over 25 cases as of October 2026 — more than any other surgeon in the state. 

Emory has two single-port robotic systems supporting six specialties. One at Emory University Hospital Midtown supports ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery. Another at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital supports thoracic surgery, general surgery, colorectal surgery, breast surgery and urology. 

“With single port, the patient only has one incision,” says Dr. Sancheti. “It’s much less pain and discomfort having one incision as opposed to four or five. So, quicker recovery and quicker back to life.”

Asking questions helps you feel confident in your care plan. You may want to ask your thoracic surgeon:

• Am I a candidate for robotic, single-port, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or open surgery — and why?
• How many of these procedures have you done?
• How many this year? How much lung will you remove?
• Will it affect my breathing?
• Will you remove or test any lymph nodes?
• Is there a chance you’ll switch to open surgery during the operation, and what does that mean for me?
• When can I expect to go home, drive, work and lift things?
• Does a team of specialists review my case?
• Does my insurance cover this surgery?