Robotic / VATS Lobectomy Package
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Written & reviewed by Vikram Kashyap, Medical Consultant, Satyug Healthcare
·Last updated: ·Editorial policy
See the cost breakdown by option, hospital and city →
| Surgery Name | Cost | Room | Hospitalization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robotic / VATS Lobectomy Package | USD 9750 | Twin Sharing | 4-6 Days in Room |
✓ Inclusion
- ✔Consultation with a senior thoracic surgeon
- ✔Pre-anaesthesia check-up and basic pre-operative blood tests
- ✔VATS lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection (robotic on request at extra cost)
- ✔Surgeon, assistant and anaesthetist fees
- ✔Operation theatre charges with standard staplers and consumables
- ✔Thoracic epidural or nerve block for pain control
- ✔ICU observation after surgery as per protocol
- ✔4–6 days hospital stay in a twin-sharing room with nursing care
- ✔Chest drain, chest X-rays and chest physiotherapy
- ✔Standard medicines and patient meals during the stay
- ✔Histopathology of the removed lobe and lymph nodes
- ✔Free: airport pick-up & drop, visa invitation letter, interpreter & coordinator (Satyug Healthcare)
✗ Exclusion
- ✖PET-CT, EBUS, bronchoscopy, biopsy and other pre-operative investigations
- ✖Robotic instrument and console charges (if robotic surgery is chosen)
- ✖Additional staplers beyond package
- ✖Extra ICU or hospital days beyond 6 days
- ✖Blood and blood products
- ✖Molecular / IHC tests on the tumour
- ✖Chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy
- ✖Hotel/guest house stay, food and local transport
- ✖International flights, visa fees and travel insurance
Know More About Procedure & Surgery
🇮🇳 THORACIC PACKAGE — INDIA
Robotic / VATS Lobectomy Surgery in India
Minimally invasive removal of a lung lobe for early lung cancer, lung metastases, bronchiectasis or TB-damaged lung, through small cuts with a camera or the da Vinci robot, by experienced thoracic surgeons at NABH & JCI hospitals in India – at a fraction of Western prices.
✅ Free Medical Opinion in 48–72 h🤖 Robotic & VATS Keyhole Surgery💰 Starting USD 9,750✈️ Visa & Airport Support🗣️ Interpreter Available
⏱️
2–4 hrs
Surgery time
🏥
4–6 days
Hospital stay
📈
70–90%
5-yr survival, stage I
📅
2–3 weeks
Total stay in India
📖 What is Robotic / VATS Lobectomy?
The right lung has three sections called lobes and the left lung has two. A lobectomy is the removal of one diseased lobe; the remaining lobes expand and take over its work. It is the standard operation to cure early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, and is also used for lung damage from bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, fungal infection or lung abscess that medicines cannot control.
In the past, lobectomy was done through a large cut with the ribs spread apart (thoracotomy). In VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) the surgeon works through 1–3 small cuts of 1–4 cm using a camera. In robotic lobectomy, the surgeon controls robotic arms with wristed instruments and 3D HD vision. Both remove the same lobe and lymph nodes as open surgery, but with less pain, a shorter hospital stay and faster return to normal life.
🖼️ Understand It in Pictures
💡 In simple words
Each lung is made of sections called lobes. When a lobe has cancer or other serious disease, that lobe can be removed. In robotic or VATS lobectomy, it is done through small cuts with a camera, and the other lobes keep working.
Healthy lung vs tumour vs after lobectomy
👀 Symptoms in Pictures
🩻 Scans & Tests — What Doctors See
🎬 The Treatment Journey in Pictures
📅 Recovery at a Glance
Drawings: Satyug Healthcare (simplified, not to scale). Photos: Wikimedia Commons; author and licence under each photo.
🩺 Conditions Treated
🎗️
Early lung cancer (stage I–II)
Non-small cell lung cancer limited to one lobe – lobectomy with lymph node removal is the standard cure.
🔁
Selected stage III lung cancer
After chemotherapy/immunotherapy shrinks the tumour (neoadjuvant treatment).
🎯
Carcinoid tumours
Slow-growing neuroendocrine lung tumours.
🌫️
Bronchiectasis
Damaged, widened airways in one lobe causing repeated infection and coughing blood.
🦠
TB-destroyed lobe & aspergilloma
Lung damaged by old tuberculosis or fungal ball causing bleeding.
⚪
Lung metastases & large benign lesions
Selected spread from other cancers, or large cysts/abscesses.
⚠️ Symptoms / Signs That May Need Treatment
- ➤Lung nodule or mass on CT scan
- ➤Cough lasting more than 3 weeks
- ➤Coughing up blood
- ➤Repeated chest infections in one area
- ➤Chest pain
- ➤Breathlessness
- ➤Unexplained weight loss
- ➤Hoarse voice
💡 Not every lung spot needs surgery. Small nodules are often watched with CT scans, and many infections settle with antibiotics or anti-TB drugs. Patients with weak lungs or very small tumours may be better treated with segmentectomy (smaller lung removal) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT).
🔬 Tests Before Treatment
| Test | Why it is done |
|---|---|
| CT chest with contrast | Shows tumour size, location and relation to blood vessels and airways. |
| PET-CT scan | Checks whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other organs (staging). |
| Biopsy (CT-guided, bronchoscopy or EBUS) | Confirms the diagnosis; EBUS samples chest lymph nodes. |
| Pulmonary function tests (spirometry, DLCO) | Measure lung capacity to ensure you can safely lose a lobe. |
| Brain MRI (cancer cases) | Rules out spread to the brain in more advanced stages. |
| Echocardiography, ECG, blood tests | Heart and general fitness for anaesthesia. |
| Exercise / stair-climb test (selected) | Assesses fitness in borderline lung function. |
🏥 The Procedure — Step by Step
1
Consultation and tumour board
Thoracic surgeon, oncologist and pulmonologist review scans, biopsy and lung function.
2
Pre-op preparation
Breathing exercises, stopping smoking and anaesthesia check.
3
Admission and anaesthesia
General anaesthesia with a special tube to deflate the lung being operated on; nerve block for pain.
4
Port placement
3–4 small cuts (robotic) or 1–3 cuts (VATS) between the ribs; no rib spreading.
5
Dividing vessels and airway
The artery, vein and bronchus to the lobe are separated and sealed with staplers.
6
Lobe removal
The lobe is placed in a bag and removed through a small cut.
7
Lymph node dissection
Chest lymph nodes are removed for accurate cancer staging.
8
Chest drain
A tube drains air and fluid for 1–3 days; cuts are closed with dissolvable stitches.
9
Ward recovery
Walking and breathing physiotherapy from day 1; chest tube removed when air leak stops.
10
Discharge
Discharge on day 4–6 after a chest X-ray, with pain tablets and an exercise plan.
⚖️ Types & Techniques
| Technique | What is done | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Robotic lobectomy (da Vinci) | Robotic arms with 3D vision through 3–4 ports | Complex anatomy, thorough lymph node removal |
| VATS lobectomy (multi-port) | Camera and long instruments through 2–3 small cuts | Most early lung cancers |
| Uniportal VATS | Whole operation through a single 3–4 cm cut | Selected patients; experienced centres |
| Segmentectomy | Removal of only part of a lobe | Small (under 2 cm) peripheral cancers or weak lungs |
| Open thoracotomy | Larger cut with rib spreading | Large central tumours or heavy scarring |
📊 The VIOLET randomised trial (UK, 2024) showed VATS lobectomy led to faster physical recovery and fewer complications than open surgery with similar cancer results; for stage IA non-small cell lung cancer, 5-year survival after lobectomy is about 70–90%.
📅 Your Day-by-Day Plan in India
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in India, airport pick-up, hotel check-in |
| Day 2–4 | Thoracic consultation, PET-CT/biopsy review, lung function and fitness tests |
| Day 5 | Admission and robotic/VATS lobectomy |
| Day 6–10 | Ward recovery (4–6 days), physiotherapy, chest drain removal |
| Day 10–11 | Discharge with exercise and pain plan |
| Day 12–17 | Hotel rest, follow-up visit, histopathology report and oncology plan |
| Day 18–21 | Fit-to-fly review, fly home ✈️ |
🌱 Recovery After Treatment
🛏️
Day 1–5
Walk from day 1; breathing exercises every hour; chest drain removed when air leak stops.
🏨
Week 1–2
Rest at hotel; short walks several times a day; mild chest wall pain controlled with tablets.
✈️
Week 2–3
Fit to fly after a normal chest X-ray and follow-up review.
💼
Week 3–4
Return to desk work and light activities.
🏃
Week 6–8
Return to heavier activity, sport and lifting.
🔁
Long term
CT scan every 6 months for 2–3 years, then yearly; chemotherapy if lymph nodes are involved.
🏆 Success Rate
| Outcome | Result |
|---|---|
| 5-year survival – stage IA lung cancer | About 70–90% |
| 5-year survival – stage II lung cancer | About 50–60% |
| Operative mortality (30-day) | About 1–2% |
| Conversion to open surgery | About 3–10% |
| Hospital stay vs open surgery | About 2–3 days shorter |
Results depend mainly on cancer stage, tumour type, lymph node status, lung function and smoking. Stopping smoking before surgery greatly reduces complications.
🩹 Risks & Possible Complications
Like any medical procedure, this treatment carries some risks. Your specialist will explain them in detail before treatment:
- •Prolonged air leak over 5 days – about 5–15%
- •Irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation) – about 5–10%
- •Pneumonia or retained phlegm – about 3–8%
- •Bleeding needing transfusion – about 1–3%
- •Chest wall pain or numbness – common, usually settles in weeks
- •Conversion to open surgery – about 3–10%
- •Death within 30 days – about 1–2%
💰 Cost of Robotic / VATS Lobectomy in India
The cost of robotic or VATS lobectomy in India starts from about USD 9,750 with a 4–6 day stay in a twin-sharing room. This includes the surgery, surgeon and anaesthesia fees, staplers and consumables for a standard case, ICU observation, standard medicines and the hospital stay. Robotic surgery and premium hospitals cost more.
| Option / Hospital tier | Approx. cost (USD) | Hospital stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| VATS lobectomy – this package (Twin sharing) | 9,750 | 4–6 days | Includes standard staplers and node dissection |
| Robotic lobectomy (da Vinci) | 11,000 – 14,000 | 4–6 days | Robotic instrument charges extra |
| Segmentectomy (VATS/robotic) | 9,000 – 12,500 | 4–5 days | For small tumours or weak lungs |
| Premium hospital (single room) | 12,000 – 16,000 | 4–6 days | Tier-1 metro centres |
⚠️ Final cost depends on the approach (VATS or robotic), number of staplers, extent of lymph node dissection, ICU days, prolonged air leak and the hospital. Quotes are confirmed after the thoracic surgeon examines the patient in India.
📋 What the Package Includes
✅ Included
- ✔Thoracic surgeon's fee
- ✔Anaesthesia and OT charges
- ✔Standard staplers and consumables
- ✔4–6 days in twin-sharing room
- ✔ICU observation after surgery
- ✔Chest drain and physiotherapy
- ✔Histopathology of removed lobe
- ✔Airport pick-up, visa letter & interpreter
❌ Not Included
- ✖PET-CT, EBUS, biopsy before admission
- ✖Robotic instrument charges
- ✖Extra staplers or ICU days
- ✖Blood transfusion
- ✖Chemotherapy / immunotherapy
- ✖Molecular tests (EGFR, ALK, PD-L1)
- ✖Hotel stay and local travel
- ✖Flights and visa fees
✈️ Your Medical Travel Process with Satyug Healthcare
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Send reports | CT chest with contrast and PET-CT (images on CD/link), biopsy/histopathology and any molecular reports, pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, and details of smoking history and other illnesses. |
| 2. Free opinion & quotes | Within 48-72 hours you receive opinions and cost estimates from 3-5 leading hospitals to compare. |
| 3. Choose hospital & doctor | We help you compare doctors, success rates, room options and total budget. |
| 4. Medical visa | The hospital issues a Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) to the Indian Embassy. The patient and up to 2 attendants apply for an e-Medical / Medical Attendant visa. |
| 5. Travel planning | Flight guidance, wheelchair assistance, airport pick-up, hotel or guest house near the hospital. |
| 6. Treatment in India | Your coordinator and interpreter stay with you for admission, treatment, discharge and billing. |
| 7. Return & follow-up | Fit-to-fly letter, medicines, and online follow-up with your doctor after you return home. |
🎒 Travel Checklist
- 📌Valid passport (6+ months) for the patient and attendants, plus 10 passport-size photos each
- 📌Medical visa / e-visa and the hospital’s Visa Invitation Letter
- 📌All CT/PET-CT reports, biopsy reports, lung function tests, scans on CD / link and prescriptions
- 📌Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for travellers from African countries)
- 📌Polio vaccination certificate where applicable
- 📌Declare cash above USD 5,000 at the airport; hospitals accept wire transfer and cards
- 📌Foreigners staying longer than permitted must register with the FRRO — our team assists
⭐ Why Choose Satyug Healthcare?
🏥
Top Accredited Hospitals
Leading thoracic surgery centres with robotic programmes such as Medanta Gurugram, Max Saket, Fortis Memorial Gurugram, Artemis, BLK-Max, Apollo, Manipal, Kokilaben and Narayana Health.
👨⚕️
Senior Specialists
Senior thoracic surgeons experienced in VATS and robotic lung resections, working with oncology tumour boards.
💵
Transparent Pricing
Multiple written quotes to compare — no hidden charges, no extra fee for our service.
🤝
End-to-End Support
Visa, airport pick-up, accommodation, interpreter and 24/7 coordinator.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
➤ What is the cost of robotic or VATS lobectomy in India?
It starts from about USD 9,750 in a twin-sharing room for VATS. Robotic surgery typically costs USD 11,000–14,000. We share a written estimate after reviewing your scans.
➤ What is the difference between robotic and VATS lobectomy?
Both are keyhole surgery. Robotic uses wristed instruments and 3D vision, which can help in complex cases and lymph node removal. Results are very similar; the surgeon advises which suits you.
➤ How long is the hospital stay?
Usually 4–6 days. You go home once the chest drain is out and you are walking comfortably.
➤ How long should I stay in India?
About 2–3 weeks, including tests, surgery, recovery, the biopsy result and a fit-to-fly review.
➤ Can I breathe normally with one lobe less?
Yes, if your lung tests are good before surgery. The remaining lobes take over, and most people return to normal daily activities. Breathlessness may be noticed only with heavy exercise.
➤ Is it painful?
There is less pain than open surgery. A nerve block and tablets control pain; mild chest discomfort may last a few weeks.
➤ What is the success rate for lung cancer?
For stage I lung cancer, about 70–90% of patients are alive at 5 years after lobectomy. Results are lower for higher stages.
➤ Will I need chemotherapy after surgery?
Only if the final report shows lymph node spread or high-risk features. The oncologist decides after the histopathology report.
➤ When can I return to work?
Desk work after about 3–4 weeks; heavier work after 6–8 weeks.
➤ When can I fly home?
Usually 1–2 weeks after discharge, once a chest X-ray confirms the lung is fully expanded.
➤ What are the main risks?
Air leak from the lung, irregular heartbeat and chest infection are the most common. The risk of death is about 1–2%.
➤ Can elderly patients have this surgery?
Yes. Keyhole surgery is especially helpful for patients in their 70s, provided heart and lung tests are adequate.
💬 Get a Free Opinion & Cost Estimate
Send your medical reports today and receive opinions from India’s top specialists within 48-72 hours.
📞 +91-8860606766 | +91-9910655125 | ✉️ query@satyughealthcare.com
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified specialist. Treatment plans and costs are confirmed only after the patient is examined. Sources: NCBI StatPearls: Lobectomy; NCBI StatPearls: Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery; VIOLET trial (Lim et al., Lancet Respir Med / BMJ 2022–2024); NCCN Guidelines: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer; IASLC 8th/9th edition staging survival data; Society of Thoracic Surgeons database reports; Mayo Clinic – Lung cancer surgery. Infographics: Satyug Healthcare.
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