Pope Leo XIV underwent a successful lung operation at Rome's Gemelli Hospital using the Uniportal VATS technique developed by Spanish surgeon Diego González Rivas.
Key facts
- •The surgery lasted approximately 90 minutes.
- •The Uniportal VATS technique was developed in A Coruña, Spain, in 2010.
- •The procedure is currently utilized in 146 countries.
- •The technique requires surgeons to be skilled in both minimally invasive and conventional thoracic surgery.
- •Pope Leo XIV is 71 years old.
Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday to remove a cancerous tumor from his right lung. The procedure utilized the Uniportal VATS technique, a minimally invasive method developed in 2010 by Spanish surgeon Diego González Rivas. The Vatican reported that the 90-minute operation proceeded as planned.
By the numbers
The Uniportal VATS Technique
The Uniportal VATS method allows surgeons to perform complex thoracic procedures, such as lung removals or biopsies, through a single incision measuring between 3 and 5 centimeters. By inserting a video camera and specialized instruments through this small opening, the technique aims to reduce post-operative pain, shorten hospital stays, and accelerate patient recovery. According to González Rivas, the method has spread to 146 countries since its inception in A Coruña.
Post-operative Status
Following the surgery, the 71-year-old pontiff spent a calm night and is reportedly recovering well with minimal pain. Medical staff at Gemelli Hospital are currently awaiting test results to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the site of the tumor.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Euronews Health.
