Recently, the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Beijing Anzhen Hospital achieved another major breakthrough in minimally invasive surgery. Under the guidance of Department Director Dr. You Bin, Associate Chief Physician Dr. Guo Lin performed the surgery as the primary surgeon, with Dr. Wen Tao as assistant. They successfully completed Beijing's first case of a single-port robotic transcostal lobectomy with single-port surgical robot with Snake-like Instruments. The procedure employed the domestically developed "Shurui" single-port surgical robot, with all precise operations performed through a single, narrow intercostal incision. The result was minimal surgical trauma and rapid patient recovery. This breakthrough not only marks a new peak for Beijing Anzhen Hospital in complex minimally invasive thoracic surgery but also sets a new regional benchmark for the clinical application of domestically produced high-end medical equipment.

01 Condition and Surgical Approach: Pushing Spatial Limits for Ultimate Minimally Invasive Surgery

The patient was admitted after a lung nodule was discovered during a routine physical examination. Detailed imaging and preoperative assessments indicated a high likelihood of early-stage lung cancer, meeting clear criteria for curative resection.

However, the lesion was located deep within the lung, surrounded by complex anatomical structures. Conventional multi-port robotic surgery or traditional thoracoscopy could remove the lesion but would require 3–4 incisions on the chest wall, resulting in relatively greater trauma.

To minimize surgical trauma, the thoracic surgery team, after comprehensive evaluation and with patient and family consent, decided on a pure single-port transcostal approach, leveraging the technical advantages of the Shurui single-port robot. This approach minimizes the number of incisions, aiming for complete lesion removal and lymph node dissection while reducing surgical trauma as much as possible.

Surgical Performance

Operate with supreme dexterity within tiny surgical space, delivering stable and efficient procedures throughout the whole operation

With seamless cooperation from the Anesthesia Surgery Center and the Operating Room Nursing Team, the surgery proceeded as planned. Dr. Guo Lin controlled the Shurui robotic system with its snake-like instruments, inserting instruments through a single, small (approximately 3–4 cm) transcostal incision. He performed fine dissection and careful division of the pulmonary artery, vein, and bronchus. The entire operation was stable, with precise hemostasis, and the lobectomy and lymph node dissection were completed successfully with minimal intraoperative bleeding.

03 Dual Challenges Demonstrate Outstanding Anzhen Surgical Expertise

The successful execution of a single-port robotic transcostal lobectomy had to overcome two major technical hurdles. First, the transcostal space is extremely narrow and confined. A single port means all instruments must work through the same "single-plank bridge," making interference between instruments highly likely. Second, the anatomical region carries high risks. The hilar region is dense with blood vessels, demanding exceptional spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to handle unexpected situations from the lead surgeon. Even the slightest hand tremor could cause catastrophic bleeding.

04 Advantages of the Instrument: Domestic Innovative Medical Technology Breaks Long-Standing Bottlenecks of Single-Port Surgery

It is the core homegrown innovative technology of Surgerii surgical robot that provides a perfect solution to all the above challenges. The system's unique snake-like powered arm offers multiple degrees of freedom, allowing it to flexibly bend and turn within the confined thoracic cavity.

It is the core homegrown innovative technology of Surgerii surgical robot that provides a perfect solution to all the above challenges. that perfectly overcomes the instrument interference common in traditional single-port endoscopic surgery. More importantly, the extreme flexibility and agility of the instruments minimize the leverage on the ribs and compression of the intercostal nerves during operation, significantly reducing postoperative incision pain and accelerating patient recovery.

05 Delve Deep into Minimally Invasive Surgery, Pioneer the Frontier of Clinical Discipline Advancement 

In recent years, the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Beijing Anzhen Hospital has continuouslystrived for progress in discipline development and technological innovation. On the basis of routinely performing minimally invasive treatments for various complex lung tumors, mediastinal tumors, and esophageal tumors, the department has vigorously promoted the clinical application of robot-assisted surgery. In the future, Beijing Anzhen Hospital will continue to explore ultra-minimally invasive technologies represented by single-port robotics, promote the integration of medical and engineering fields, as well as the iterative upgrading of domestic high-end medical equipment. With more advanced clinical expertise and equipment,  the hospital will deliver safer, more precise and more efficient medical services to a broader range of patients.