Northwestern Medicine becomes first health system in Illinois to perform single incision robotic procedures for thoracic patients

Single incision robotic procedure

CHICAGO – September 16, 2025 – Northwestern Medicine is the first health system in Illinois to adopt the da Vinci SP (Single Port) surgical system for thoracic surgery, marking a significant advancement in minimally invasive care for patients with lung and chest conditions. The new robotic platform enables thoracic surgeons to perform complex procedures through one small incision in the upper abdomen versus multiple incisions in the chest, allowing for improved outcomes and faster recovery times for patients undergoing thoracic surgeries involving tumors in the chest and lungs. 

“This robot is different from ones we’ve used in the past because it allows us to perform minimally invasive operations using one single port with a small incision, opposed to previously using several different ports at the same time with multiple incisions,” said Samuel Kim, MD, a thoracic surgeon and director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at the Northwestern Medicine Canning Thoracic Institute. 

Traditionally, thoracic surgeons would perform these types of minimally invasive procedures by going in through the chest wall which has a lot of nerves and is associated with more pain. With the new da Vinci SP surgical system, Dr. Kim is able to make a single two-to-three-inch incision in the abdomen area, which causes less pain. The robot was designed to improve recovery and help patients return to their normal activities sooner. 

Rodolfo before surgery

“For patients who have received this new type of procedure, their recovery has been much faster and less painful, allowing them to get home and get back to work easier. It’s especially a great option for elderly and more frail patients because it decreases their risk of falling post-surgery since they have a reduced need for opioid pain medications,” said Dr. Kim. 

For 74-year-old Rodolfo (who chose to keep his last name private), undergoing surgery with a new robot was a bit exciting, since he spent the majority of his career as a computer engineer, working with robots and fixing computers and electronics. After doctors discovered a rare, slow-growing tumor in his thymus gland called thymoma, Rodolfo was deemed a perfect candidate to undergo surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital with the new da Vinci SP surgical system.

“I’m very supportive of medical advancements – especially when they involve a robot – so when Dr. Kim told me the new robotic platform would help me recover more quickly with less pain, I was all for it,” said Rodolfo, who underwent his procedure in mid-August.

Sam Kim, MD, operating the robot

“Rodolfo’s surgery went extremely well and after removing the tumor, we determined it was non-cancerous. He could have went home the same day but preferred to stay one night in the hospital for monitoring,” said Dr. Kim. “Two weeks post-surgery, I saw Rodolfo in clinic, and he didn’t have any pain. He’s back to living a normal life, enjoying retirement.”

The da Vinci Single Port (SP) surgical system by Intuitive was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for thoracic and chest cases. The system features a high-definition 3D camera, which allows surgeons to sit behind a console, visualize the surgical site and operate the robot with greater range of motion than the human hand. It can be used for procedures such as thymectomy, lobectomy and other chest surgeries.

 For more information on leading-edge lung and chest care from the Canning Thoracic Institute, visit nm.org.