Robotic Thoracic Surgery After Neoadjuvant Chemo-Immunotherapy for NSCLC: A Narrative Review.

Background

The integration of neoadjuvant and perioperative chemo-immunotherapy (CT-IO) has significantly reshaped the treatment of resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), improving pathological response and survival outcomes. However, its impact on surgical management-particularly robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS)-remains incompletely defined. This review provides a practical overview of current evidence and technical considerations for robotic lung resection following neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy.

Methods

A narrative review of the literature was performed, focusing on phase III trials, meta-analyses, and surgical series reporting perioperative, oncological, and technical outcomes of minimally invasive-especially robotic-approaches after neoadjuvant or perioperative chemo-immunotherapy.

Results

Randomized trials have established CT-IO as a standard treatment option for selected patients with resectable stage II-III NSCLC-although the specific standard varies according to stage, molecular and PD-L1 status, and regulatory approval-significantly improving pathological complete response and event-free survival. However, immune-related fibrosis, nodal scarring, and altered tissue planes increase surgical complexity and intra-postoperative complications. Available evidence, largely retrospective and derived from selected patient populations treated at experienced centers, suggest that RATS is feasible and safe, offering enhanced visualization and dexterity that may facilitate dissection in challenging post-induction settings. Vascular management and lymph node dissection remain critical technical aspects, and early conversion to open surgery, when required, should be regarded as an appropriate safety strategy rather than a complication.

Conclusions

RATS after neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy appears feasible and promising in selected patients treated at experienced centers, but current evidence does not yet establish it as the preferred approach for all patients. Careful patient selection, adherence to oncological principles, and surgeon experience are essential. Prospective data are needed to define optimal surgical timing and standardize techniques.