Robot‐assisted resection of multiple lung nodules through combination of intercostal incisions and a subxiphoid incision as a utility port

Introduction Robotic‐assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) via subxiphoid incision may be superior in resection of multiple lung nodules. Methods Outcomes of robot‐assisted one‐stage bilateral lobectomy or segmentectomy via intercostal and subxiphoid incisions for multiple ground‐glass opacities were analysed. Results Total 36 cases were analysed in this study. Thirteen cases had bilateral lobectomy + segmentectomy, 15 cases underwent bilateral segmentectomies, and 8 cases underwent lobectomy + segmentectomy + wedge resection. The average intraoperative blood loss was 110.2 ± 57.8 mL, operation time was 154 ± 64.2 min, thoracic draining time was 2.6 ± 3.2 days, and postoperative hospital stay was 4.8 ± 3.3 days. Three patients had atrial fibrillation and 3 patients had continuous air leakage for over 3 days, but there was no death or postoperative pain. Conclusion Robot‐assisted one‐stage bilateral resection of multiple lung nodules through combination of intercostal and subxiphoid incision as a utility port is safe and reliable.