Surgeon Performs First Single-Port Robotic Lung Resection in the Gulf South Region
Surgeon Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude performed the first single-port robotic-assisted lung resection in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi at LCMC’s East Jefferson Hospital in July, according to an announcement by Tulane University School of Medicine reported by nola.com. The minimally invasive procedure marks a major shift in thoracic oncology by avoiding traditional open surgery and its associated rib-spreading trauma.
The milestone patient, 77-year-old Dennis O’Neil, was recovering from colon cancer treatment when routine imaging detected malignant cells in his right lung. Abi Jaoude performed a pulmonary lobectomy—the surgical removal of an affected lung lobe—through a single incision measuring three to four centimeters below O’Neil’s rib cage. Traditional open surgery requires a large torso incision and the mechanical spreading of ribs, which typically extends hospital stays up to one week and requires three to six hours in the operating room.
Single-Port Technology Reduces Post-Surgical Pain and Recovery Times
By entering the chest cavity through one small port beneath the rib cage, the single-port robotic technique bypasses the intercostal spaces entirely. This avoids mechanical irritation to the intercostal nerves situated between the ribs, which directly correlates with reduced postoperative pain and lower narcotic requirements for patients. Clinical data across major U.S. medical centers show that the approach yields faster returns to baseline activities and shorter hospital stays.
While robotic-assisted surgery has been utilized in other specialties like prostate cancer care and lymphedema treatment for several years, its application in thoracic surgery represents a newer frontier. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the da Vinci Single-Port robotic system for thoracic procedures, including pulmonary lobectomies, in 2025 following a six-month multi-institutional clinical trial. O’Neil was discharged from the hospital just two days after his operation, contrasting with the typical week-long recovery associated with traditional open thoracotomy.
Tulane Prepares Surgical Team for Thoracic Oncology Center of Excellence
Adopting the new single-port thoracic program required months of targeted preparation. Abi Jaoude completed extensive education, simulation training, laboratory work, and credentialing prior to the July procedure, alongside specialized training for members of the cardiothoracic operating room team at East Jefferson Hospital.
“We are still pioneers and early adopters,” Abi Jaoude said, as reported by nola.com. “The fact that we are able to offer this technique at East Jefferson through Tulane is a milestone in creating a center of excellence for thoracic oncology.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Single-Port Robotic Lung Resection
What specific equipment is used for single-port thoracic surgery?
Surgeons utilize the FDA-cleared da Vinci Single-Port robotic system, which allows specialized instruments and a camera to pass through a single, small access port.
How long does the single-port robotic lobectomy procedure take compared to open surgery?
While traditional open surgery typically lasts between three and six hours due to the extensive incision and rib-spreading required, single-port robotic procedures are designed to streamline the operative workflow and reduce overall time in the operating room.
Where was the historic Gulf South procedure performed?
The procedure took place at LCMC’s East Jefferson Hospital, executed by a cardiothoracic surgeon from the Tulane University School of Medicine.
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