Lung Cancer Surgery Center

The Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital performs the most thoracic robotic surgeries in the Chicago area.

Thoracic surgeons affiliated with the Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital are specially trained to treat the most common lung cancer – non-small cell lung cancer. The three types are:

  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma is usually found in the middle of lungs near bronchus, 25-30% of all lung cancers
  • Adenocarcinoma usually starts in mucus-producing glands of lung; 40% of all lung cancers
  • Large Cell Carcinoma grows and spreads quickly; 10-15% of all lung cancers

Lung cancer

To treat the disease patients may have surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination. Your doctor will discuss the side effects as well as the pros and cons of all treatments and surgery options.

During lung cancer surgery, the amount of tissue and/or lung removed will depend on the stage of the cancer. Your surgeon may perform one of the following:

  • Wedge Resection: The tumor and a small section of your lung (cut) are removed, along with a portion of healthy tissue.
  • Segmental Resection: A larger portion of your lung is removed, but not the entire lobe.
  • Lobectomy: The entire lobe of one lung is removed.
  • Pneumonectomy: The entire lung is removed.

These procedures may be done with open surgery or minimally invasive surgery.

Open Surgery is performed through a long chest incision. Your surgeon may also need to spread your ribs to reach your lung.

Thoracoscopy, also called video-assisted thoracic surgery or VATS, is one minimally invasive surgery. Doctors insert a tiny camera and surgical instruments into your chest through small incisions. The camera sends images to a video screen in the operating room to guide doctors as they operate.

Robotic Lung Surgical Incisions
da Vinci® Surgical Incision (left) vs. Open Surgical Incision (right)

Robotic Surgery

Another minimally invasive option for lung cancer patients facing lobectomy is robotically-assisted da Vinci® Surgery. Using the da Vinci System for non-small cell lung cancer, surgeons make a few small incisions between your ribs, similar to a thoracoscopy.

The da Vinci System features a magnified 3D HD vision system and special instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. These features enable surgeons to operate with enhanced vision, precision, and control.

Compared to open or VATS, da Vinci Lobectomy may offer the following potential benefits:

  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Less pain
  • Shorter chest tube duration
  • Less or similar rate of blood loss and/or transfusions
  • Smaller incisions for less scarring
  • Low complication rate
  • Low conversion rate to open surgery

Talk to your doctor to decide if robotic surgery is right for you. As with any surgery, there are risks.

Doctor performs robotic surgery

Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.