Does Robotic Surgery Offer Advantages Over Thoracoscopic Surgery for Patients Undergoing Wedge Resection for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?

Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was associated with increased lymph node yield, which was also associated with slightly improved overall survival after wedge resection, independent of surgical approach. Given the limitations of the National Cancer Database, the relative contributions of increasing RATS adoption versus broader temporal advances in oncological care cannot be distinguished. Further study of more granular details and cost may better inform approach selection.