Robot-assisted endoscopic airway reconstruction in rabbits, with the aim to perform robot-assisted thoracoscopic bronchoplasty in human subjects

Robotic telemanipulation systems have been introduced recently to enhance the surgeon's dexterity and visualization in endoscopic surgery and thus facilitate refined dissection, suturing, and knot tying. This study examined the technical feasibility of performing safe and efficient robot-assisted, hand-sewn endoscopic airway reconstruction in a rabbit model.A total of 18 tracheal anastomoses were performed in rabbits, with 6 anastomoses...