Advanced, Minimally Invasive Care at Florence Nightingale Hospitals Robotic Thoracic Surgery represents one of the most significant advances in modern thoracic care. At Florence Nightingale Hospitals in Istanbul, this state-of-the-art technique allows our expert surgeons to perform complex chest operations with exceptional precision, enhanced safety, and faster recovery. Using small incisions and a highly sophisticated …
Robotic Thoracic Surgery in Istanbul
Advanced, Minimally Invasive Care at Florence Nightingale Hospitals
Robotic Thoracic Surgery represents one of the most significant advances in modern thoracic care. At Florence Nightingale Hospitals in Istanbul, this state-of-the-art technique allows our expert surgeons to perform complex chest operations with exceptional precision, enhanced safety, and faster recovery. Using small incisions and a highly sophisticated robotic platform, this approach helps patients experience less pain, fewer complications, and a quicker return to daily life.
Below, you can learn what robotic thoracic surgery is, which conditions it treats, and why Florence Nightingale is one of the region’s leading centers for advanced thoracic care.
What Is Robotic Thoracic Surgery?
Robotic Thoracic Surgery (RTS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat diseases inside the chest cavity. Unlike traditional open surgery—where the chest must be widely opened—RTS is performed through small incisions using a robotic system controlled entirely by the surgeon. This method offers significant benefits for patients, including reduced pain, lower risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times.
Key advantages of robotic surgery include:
- High-definition 3D visualization for superior depth perception
- Robotic instruments with wrist-like movement that exceed human dexterity
- Improved precision for delicate or narrow anatomical areas
- Less trauma to healthy tissue
- Filtered hand tremors for steady, accurate motions
Although the system is called “robotic,” it never operates alone. Every movement is guided directly by the surgeon from a control console.
Compared to other minimally invasive approaches, such as VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery), robotics provides greater flexibility, precision, and visualization—making it particularly valuable for complex thoracic procedures.
Conditions Treated With Robotic Thoracic Surgery
Robotic Thoracic Surgery is used to treat a wide range of conditions within the chest cavity. It is especially beneficial for early-stage cancers, benign tumors, and diseases requiring delicate dissection.
Common conditions treated include:
- Lung cancer (early-stage) – precise removal of tumors and lymph nodes
- Mediastinal tumors – including benign and malignant lesions
- Thymoma and thymic diseases
- Esophageal conditions – achalasia, hiatal/paraesophageal hernia, early-stage cancer
- Diaphragmatic disorders – such as diaphragmatic paralysis (via plication)
- Selected benign chest wall or pulmonary lesions
Not all patients are candidates for robotic surgery. Suitability depends on the type of disease, tumor location and size, overall health, lung capacity, and previous surgeries. A comprehensive evaluation by an experienced thoracic surgeon is essential.
Benefits of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at Florence Nightingale
At Florence Nightingale Hospitals, robotic thoracic surgery is performed by experienced specialists using the latest technology. Patients benefit from a comfortable, safe, and carefully coordinated surgical experience.
Patient-centered benefits include:
- Smaller incisions and minimal scarring
- Less postoperative pain and reduced need for medication
- Lower infection and complication rates
- Reduced blood loss and tissue trauma
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster return to daily activities
Patients undergoing robotic procedures often report a significantly smoother recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
What to Expect During Robotic Thoracic Surgery
Understanding the treatment journey can help reduce anxiety and make the experience more predictable.
1. Pre-operative Evaluation
Your care team will perform:
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- CT or MRI imaging
- Pulmonary function tests
- Cardiology evaluation if needed
Lifestyle recommendations—such as quitting smoking or improving physical conditioning—may be provided to support faster recovery.
2. Day of Surgery
You will receive general anesthesia.
Several small incisions (1–2 cm) are made, through which:
- A 3D camera is inserted
- Robotic arms and surgical instruments are positioned
Your surgeon performs the procedure from the console, guiding each movement in real time.
3. After Surgery
You will be monitored in a recovery unit.
Care typically includes:
- Pain management
- Breathing exercises
- Early mobilization
- Chest tube management if placed
Most patients can return home within a few days and resume normal activities in a few weeks, depending on the procedure.
Why Choose Florence Nightingale for Robotic Thoracic Surgery?
1. Experienced Surgical Team
Florence Nightingale is one of the pioneering centers of robotic surgery in Turkey, performing robotic procedures since 2004 and robotic thoracic surgery since 2011. Our thoracic surgeons bring the strength of more than 1,000 robotic operations to every case they manage.
This extensive experience—combined with international training and proficiency in both traditional and robot-assisted techniques—ensures exceptional precision, safety, and consistency. Patients benefit from a team that has mastered the nuances of complex thoracic anatomy and delivers outcomes aligned with global best practices.
2. State-of-the-Art Robotic Technology
Florence Nightingale uses the latest da Vinci robotic system, offering unmatched visualization and instrument control. Our modern operating rooms are optimized for advanced robotic procedures.
3. Comprehensive, Personalized Patient Care
Every treatment plan is customized according to your condition, risk factors, and personal needs. Our multidisciplinary team—including pulmonologists, oncologists, anesthesiologists, and rehabilitation specialists—ensures coordinated care from start to finish.
4. International Patient Services
For patients traveling from abroad, we offer:
- Medical coordination
- Translation services
- Visa and travel assistance
- Accommodation arrangements
- Dedicated patient consultants
Our international care model provides a seamless, comfortable experience.
Risks and Considerations
While RTS is designed to be minimally invasive and often results in fewer complications than traditional techniques, like all surgical procedures, robotic thoracic surgery carries risks, including infection, bleeding, blood clots, air leak, rare need to convert to open surgery. Although these complications are less common with robotic methods, they remain important considerations and require close monitoring after surgery.
At Florence Nightingale Hospital, our experienced surgical team employs meticulous sterile techniques and careful operative strategies to minimize these risks. Patient safety and health are our top priorities at every stage of the operation.
Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation helps identify individual risks and ensure safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes robotic thoracic surgery different from traditional surgery?
It is minimally invasive, performed through small incisions, and offers greater precision and visualization compared to open surgery.
What is the recovery period like?
Recovery is typically faster and less painful than open surgery. Many patients return home within a few days and resume daily activities within a few weeks.
Who is a good candidate?
Patients with early-stage lung cancer, mediastinal tumors, thymoma, esophageal disorders, or diaphragmatic paralysis may be suitable—but candidacy depends on individual evaluation. The final decision is made by an experienced thoracic surgeon based on a comprehensive evaluation.
What are the long-term outcomes?
Outcomes are generally excellent, with less postoperative discomfort, quicker recovery, and—in cancer cases—highly precise tumor removal. Studies have shown that patients often retain better functional capacity and return to their daily routines more quickly. Ongoing follow-up and regular checkups are important to maintain long-term success.
How much does robotic thoracic surgery cost?
Costs vary depending on the procedure, length of hospital stay, and patient condition. For a personalized quote, please contact our international patient team.
