Management of Complications in Robotic Thoracic Surgery.

The rapid adoption of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery has led to increased interest in the management of complications. Overall rates of complication during robotic-assisted thoracic surgery are low. Reported complications include pulmonary vascular injury; great vessel injury; thoracic duct injury; erroneous transection; tracheobronchial injury; and esophageal, diaphragmatic, and abdominal organ injury. A robotic thoracic surgeon should understand and have a management plan for any potential complication. When a complication occurs, the priority is to stabilize the patient. Then, after stabilization, an assessment of the situation will determine whether the procedure can be continued robotically or whether conversion to thoracotomy or sternotomy is required.