Impact of the expanded indication of robot-assisted thoracic surgery for mediastinal tumors

Following the introduction of robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) as a health insurance-covered treatment in Japan, we investigated the current status and impact of the expansion of the indications for RATS for mediastinal tumors.

Between 2018 and 2022, 209 cases of total mediastinal tumor resection were performed in our hospital. The study period was divided into the first half (January 2018 to June 2020) and the second half (July 2020 to December 2022), and perioperative parameters were compared between the two groups.

Ninety-six surgical procedures were performed in the first half and 113 in the second half. The percentage of RATS approach was significantly higher in the second half compared with the first half (P < 0.001). Indications for RATS in the second half compared with the first half were significantly increased in patients with stage II (P < 0.001) and stage III (P = 0.026) thymomas, tumor diameter ≥ 50 mm (P < 0.011), and patients undergoing extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (P < 0.009). In respect of short-term postoperative parameters, the estimated intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.035), postoperative drain duration (P < 0.037), and postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.011) were significantly lower in the second half than in the first half.

RATS has recently been expanded for mediastinal tumors with improved short-term outcomes in our hospital after health insurance was applied in Japan. In the future, it will be necessary to discuss the further expansion of its indications by taking into account safety and long-term outcomes.