THE ROLE OF ROBOTICS AND VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACOSCOPIC SURGERY IN PULMONARY RESECTION FOR MALIGNANT TUMORS

Abstract

Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in the early stages of the disease. This study aimed to outline the surgical management of NSCLC and assess the impact of various factors on patient outcomes. A total of 153 patients who underwent surgery for primary NSCLC with curative intent were followed up at University Hospital “Shefqet Ndroqi” in Tirana, Albania during the years 2010-2015. Preoperative risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality after lung resection were determined based on patients' tumour stage, performance status, and weight loss. Accurate diagnosis and staging is mandatory for surgical management of NSCLC. Surgical resection involves removal of the affected lobe and systematic evaluation of ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. More invasive approaches to surgery, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and robotics, may reduce morbidity and mortality. Advances in staging, perioperative management, anaesthetic management, and surgical techniques have improved patient outcomes. Lung resection is the gold standard treatment for stage I NSCLC, and surgery may also be considered an accepted treatment modality in a small proportion of selected patients with stage IIIb and stage IV disease. The sociodemographic and clinical data of patients treated for NSCLC in this study were similar to those reported in other studies. In conclusion, the current treatment strategy for NSCLC depends on clinical staging, and surgical management remains a valuable option for select patients