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Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS):

Robotic thoracic surgery is the most modern development of minimally invasive thoracic surgery and is called Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS). It concerns robotically assisted operations on the chest, with the method being relatively widespread worldwide. However, in our country it is applied by a remarkably limited number of Thoracic Surgeons because special qualifications and separate training in this technique are required.

Applications of Robotic Surgery in Thoracic Surgery:

Robotic surgery has been gaining ground in recent years, with applications in the entire range of thoracic surgeries, for both benign and malignant diseases. Among other things, it is able to treat pulmonary parenchymal resections, thymectomies, removal of mediastinal tumors, bronchoplasties, biopsies of intrathoracic masses, drainage of collections, pleurodesis, pneumothorax are indicative of some of the surgeries performed with robotic technology.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery:

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery offers all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery plus greater flexibility in simple or complex procedures. It also offers the ability to overcome all the limitations of the classical thoracoscopic technique, providing easy access to all anatomical elements, resulting in more precise and safer surgical treatment. Mainly, however, it offers significant benefits for the patient who experiences a clearly easier surgery, with what this implies for his recovery.

Among others, the benefits presented by the use of this specific technique are summarized as follows:

• Greater precision during the operation
• Avoidance of large incisions
• Minimal postoperative pain
• Minimal blood loss
• Faster recovery
• Reduction of complications both during surgery and postoperatively
• Less preoperative anxiety for patients, especially for those who have a greater fear of surgery
• Shorter hospitalization time with direct financial benefit for both the patient and the country’s health system our
• Better aesthetic result, thanks to the absence of large incisions

We should also mention that the postoperative follow-up of patients exceeds five years (according to our team’s protocol), while their quality of life is radically improved.

Organized hospital structures:

This type of surgery requires specialization, modern hospital logistics and cooperation between medical specialties. At the Interbalkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki we use the latest in Robotic Technology, which, combined with our many years of experience, has established the Cardio – Thoracic Surgery Clinic as a pioneer in the above field. By monitoring global developments on a daily basis and with our state-of-the-art biomedical equipment, expertise and experience as allies, we are able to offer the most personalized and minimally traumatic solution for every case of chest diseases, no matter how complex.

International Certification of the Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Clinic of the Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki:

The Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Clinic at the Inter-Balkan Medical Center of Thessaloniki has been certified by the Da Vinci Surgical System and its corresponding representative company Intuitive Surgical for the ability to perform thoracic surgeries using the Da Vinci Robotic System. The surgical certification for this specific method is held by Ms. Kosmas Tsakiridis, MD, PhD, FEBTS, Director of the Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Clinic and Konstantina Triantaphyllopoulou Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Associate and Scientific Manager of the Thoracic Surgery Clinic of the National Institute of Health.