The London Clinic was the first private hospital in the UK to introduce robotic surgery. In our Lung Centre, we use the da Vinci surgical robot to treat lung cancer and other conditions with greater accuracy and shorter recovery times compared to open surgery.
Robotic lung surgery
Also known as: Minimally invasive lung surgery
Get answers fast
See a doctor or consultant within days
Advanced imaging and tests
Quick access to leading diagnostics on-site
World-class specialists
Expert support guiding your next steps
What is robotic lung surgery?
Robotic lung surgery is used to treat patients with lung cancer and other lesions, whether benign or malignant. It is a form of keyhole surgery that enables the surgeon to operate with enhanced precision through a few small incisions, rather than one large cut.
Minimally invasive lung cancer surgery therefore results in reduced pain, bleeding, a shorter stay in hospital and a lower risk of complications.
At The London Clinic Lung Centre, our world-class surgeons use computer-enhanced robotic technology called the da Vinci surgical system. This system enables our surgeons to view the lungs in high-definition 3D format. The computer-enhanced robot mimics the movement of a human hand, but with a greater range of movement and accuracy.
What are the benefits of robotic lung surgery?
Thanks to the precision of the da Vinci robotic technology, minimally invasive surgery offers several advantages over conventional open surgery, including:
- Reduced pain
- Smaller incisions
- Minimal scarring
- Shorter stay in hospital
- Less blood loss
- Lower risk of infections
- Fewer complications
- Faster recovery time
Why might I need robotic lung surgery?
What are the risks of robotic lung surgery?
All surgical procedures come with risks, which your surgeon will explain to you. With robotic lung surgery, the risks include:
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Leaking air from your lungs
- Pain
However, robotic-assisted surgery is generally considered less risky than open surgery.
How long does robotic lung surgery take?
The duration of robotic lung surgery depends on the type of technique used, which varies based on the condition being treated. However, most robotic lung surgery procedures take between one and three hours.
More information
Step 1. Preparing for robotic lung surgery
Before your surgery, you will be given instructions to follow ahead of your surgery date. These will include:
- Fasting – you will be asked to stop eating and drinking (except water) for a certain amount of time prior to your surgery.
- Stopping certain medications – your surgical team will review the medications you currently take and advise you on any that you should stop taking prior to your surgery.
- Quitting smoking – smoking reduces blood flow, which can slow your recovery. Smoking can also contribute to other post-surgical complications and cause future health issues. As a result, it is important to quit smoking well in advance of your surgery.
- Preparing for a short stay in hospital – you will normally need to stay in hospital for a few days following robotic lung surgery, so make sure you pack a bag with anything you might need until you go home.
Step 2. During robotic lung surgery
Before your surgery begins, you will be placed under a general anaesthetic. This means you’ll be asleep during the procedure and will not feel any discomfort. A breathing tube will be inserted into your airway to allow each lung to be separately inflated during surgery.
Your surgeon will make between one and five small incisions between your ribs and place the instruments and the camera attached to the robot into the incisions. Using a nearby computer, your surgeon will view a 360-degree image of the surgical area and direct the robot with their own hand movements to remove the damaged lung tissue.
Towards the end of the procedure, your surgeon will insert a chest tube through one of the incisions to drain any excess air or fluid from your lungs. This tube will remain in place for several days and will be removed by your care team as you recover.
Step 3. Recovery and aftercare
Once the procedure is complete, you will be monitored as you wake up from the anaesthetic. You will then be transferred to your room, where you will stay until you are well enough to be discharged from the hospital. Since this is minimally invasive surgery, this process should be quicker compared to open lung surgery.
While you are in the hospital, your care team will monitor your condition, ensuring you are recovering well and are not in too much pain after robotic lung surgery.
Once you return home, you will need to rest to allow your body to continue recovering effectively. You will regain your strength and energy within two to three weeks.
What to expect from Robotic lung surgery
Step 1 Preparing for robotic lung surgery
Ahead of your surgery, you’ll receive clear instructions to follow. This may include fasting for a set period, stopping certain medications as advised by your surgical team, and quitting smoking to support your recovery. You’ll also need to prepare for a short hospital stay by packing essentials for your time in the hospital.
Step 2 What happens during robotic lung surgery
You’ll be placed under general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep and won’t feel anything. Your surgeon will make small incisions between your ribs to insert robotic instruments and a camera. Using precise hand movements, they will guide the robot to remove the damaged lung tissue. Before finishing, they will insert a chest tube to drain any excess air or fluid, which will stay in place for a few days.
Step 3 Recovery and aftercare
After surgery, you’ll be monitored as you wake up before being moved to your room. Your care team will manage your pain and monitor your progress. Since robotic surgery is minimally invasive, your recovery is usually quicker than with open lung surgery. Once home, you’ll need to rest, but most patients regain their strength within two to three weeks.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why patients choose The London Clinic Lung Centre
Our lung centre brings together a wide range of specialities and collective experience to provide a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating lung conditions. Working collaboratively, our world-class teams deliver personalised care at every stage, ensuring each patient receives the highest standard of treatment in a supportive, streamlined environment.
World-class lung treatment
Our specialists work at the forefront of modern lung diagnostics and treatments, helping deliver exceptional care for chest conditions.
Personal care, every time
Patient care is central to everything we do, with tailored treatment plans and support at every step.
Effortlessly simple
Our multidisciplinary teams work as one to provide a seamless, stress-free experience from consultation to follow-up.
Get expert lung advice
World-class consultants and advanced lung diagnostics, based in the heart of Harley Street.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.