To evaluate the role of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) in pediatric patients with congenital lung disorders (CLD) and compare it with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
Key Findings:
Three studies were included, all involving comparative cohorts.
Robotic resections were primarily for congenital pulmonary airway malformation and pulmonary sequestration.
Conversion rates to open surgery were low (1–3%), with rare significant intraoperative complications.
Postoperative recovery was satisfactory with short hospital stays and mostly minor complications.
RATS showed similar perioperative safety profiles to VATS, but longer operative durations.
Interpretation:
RATS is a safe and effective alternative for select pediatric patients with CLD, offering advantages such as improved visualization and instrument maneuverability.
Limitations:
The review included only a limited number of studies.
Definitive superiority of RATS over VATS has not been established.
Further multicenter studies and long-term assessments are needed.
Conclusion:
RATS is a promising option for pediatric thoracic surgery in CLD, but more research is required to determine its long-term efficacy and advantages over VATS.
