Robotic Lung Volume Reduction Surgery With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Lobectomy for consolidation of failed endoscopic lung volume reduction for emphysema has been reported in selected patients with favorable results but with considerable morbidity. The challenging issues in such patients are frailty caused by severe emphysema itself, poor tolerance to single-lung ventilation, target lobe hyperinflation, and inability to use gas inflation for the minimally invasive resection. Careful planning, including use of a robotic platform and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, can circumvent such difficulties and ensure a safe, minimally invasive resection in the high-risk emphysematous patient. (Ann Thorac Surg 2022;114:e351-e354) (c) 2022 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons