Robotic radical thymectomy using the Hugo RAS system – a step-by-step right thoracic approach

Radical thymectomy has withstood the test of time as the standard procedure for treating thymic masses. Minimally invasive thymectomy, especially when performed using a surgical robot, has resulted in superior oncological clearance from the ipsilateral to the contralateral phrenic nerves, while drastically reducing the morbidity associated with median sternotomy. There is sparse literature on how to perform this procedure using a modular robotic system, which is gaining popularity. Here, we present our technique of robotic radical thymectomy through a right thoracic approach using a modular surgical robot, the Hugo RAS system, with emphasis on port positions, OT set-up and surgical steps.