Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity & Forecast, Segmented by Type (Lobectomy, Wedge Resection, Pneumonectomy, Others), By Region, & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.25 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.89%
Fastest Growing Segment	Wedge Resection
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.99 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Market will grow from USD 4.25 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.99 Billion by 2031 at a 5.89% CAGR. Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery refers to advanced surgical interventions, notably Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery and Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery, performed through small incisions to diagnose and treat pulmonary and mediastinal conditions. The market is primarily driven by the rising prevalence of thoracic malignancies and the clinical imperative to improve postoperative outcomes. Unlike transient trends, the structural shift toward these techniques is fundamentally supported by the demand for reduced hospital lengths of stay, minimized patient trauma, and faster recovery times, which collectively enhance healthcare efficiency.

The expansion of this field is evidenced by the substantial volume of clinical data monitored by professional bodies. According to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, in 2024, the General Thoracic Surgery Database grew to encompass nearly one million cumulative case records, reflecting the significant scale of surgical activity. However, a major challenge impeding broader market growth is the high acquisition and maintenance cost of robotic systems. These financial barriers often restrict the adoption of advanced platforms in resource-constrained healthcare settings, thereby limiting patient access.

Key Market Drivers

Rapid advancements in video-assisted and robotic-assisted surgical technologies are fundamentally reshaping the thoracic surgery landscape by enhancing surgical precision and enabling complex resections through smaller incisions. These technological improvements directly address the clinical need for minimized trauma, thereby encouraging broader adoption among hospitals aiming to optimize surgical workflows and reduce variability in patient outcomes. The operational impact of this shift is evident in the increasing utilization of robotic platforms for lobectomy and wedge resection procedures. According to Intuitive Surgical, October 2024, in the 'Q3 2024 Earnings Release', worldwide da Vinci procedures grew approximately 18% compared with the third quarter of 2023, driven significantly by momentum in general thoracic procedures. This surge illustrates the accelerated integration of advanced robotic platforms into standard care pathways, effectively replacing traditional open thoracotomy techniques in modern healthcare systems.

Simultaneously, the rising prevalence of thoracic malignancies serves as a critical determinant for market volume, necessitating scalable surgical solutions to manage the growing patient burden. The correlation between increasing cancer diagnoses and surgical demand is intensifying as healthcare providers prioritize early intervention to improve long-term survival rates. According to the American Cancer Society, January 2024, in the 'Cancer Facts & Figures 2024', approximately 234,580 new cases of lung cancer were projected to be diagnosed in the United States alone, underscoring the substantial burden of disease requiring intervention. Furthermore, the expansion of screening initiatives is identifying more surgical candidates at treatable stages. According to the American Lung Association, November 2024, in the 'State of Lung Cancer 2024' report, the national average for lung cancer screening among eligible individuals reached 16.0%, indicating a widening pipeline of patients likely to require minimally invasive curative procedures.

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Key Market Challenges

The high acquisition and maintenance cost of robotic systems poses a significant structural barrier to the growth of the Global Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Market. These advanced platforms require substantial capital outlay, often exceeding the financial capabilities of smaller regional hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. Beyond the initial purchase price, the recurring operational expenses—including mandatory service contracts, specialized single-use instruments, and software updates—create a long-term liability for healthcare institutions. This economic burden prevents the widespread democratization of robotic thoracic surgery, confining its availability primarily to large, well-funded academic centers while leaving a vast segment of the potential customer base reliant on traditional surgical methods.

The impact of these financial hurdles is evident in current hospital purchasing behaviors. When facilities face budgetary constraints, high-cost capital equipment is frequently the first category to experience procurement freezes. According to the American Hospital Association, in 2024, approximately 94% of healthcare administrators indicated plans to delay equipment upgrades and infrastructure investments in response to persistent fiscal challenges. This widespread deferral of capital expenditure directly hampers the sales velocity of robotic systems, thereby flattening the market's growth trajectory despite the clear clinical demand for improved patient outcomes.

Key Market Trends

The Proliferation of Single-Port Robotic Surgical Platforms is fundamentally transforming thoracic interventions by minimizing the invasiveness of complex resections. Unlike traditional multiportal approaches that require multiple intercostal incisions, single-port systems allow surgeons to perform intricate lobectomies and thymectomies through a single small entry point, significantly reducing intercostal nerve compression and postoperative neuralgia. This architectural shift is gaining rapid traction as healthcare providers prioritize technologies that enhance cosmetic outcomes and accelerate patient discharge without compromising oncological radicality. The market momentum for this modality is illustrated by the surging adoption of next-generation platforms in specialized centers. According to Intuitive Surgical, October 2025, in the 'Q3 2025 Earnings Call', procedures performed with the da Vinci SP system rose 91% year-over-year, driven notably by the platform's expanding utilization in thoracic and colorectal applications.

Simultaneously, the Integration of Artificial Intelligence for Surgical Planning and Navigation is addressing the diagnostic challenges associated with peripheral pulmonary nodules. Advanced AI algorithms now reconstruct 2D CT scans into high-fidelity 3D anatomical models, enabling the precise mapping of bronchial pathways for navigational bronchoscopy and sub-lobar resections. This digital evolution moves the market beyond standard bronchoscopic techniques by offering real-time, calculated guidance to lesions that were previously inaccessible, thereby increasing diagnostic yield and facilitating earlier treatment. The clinical demand for such intelligent navigational ecosystems is reflected in the substantial growth of enabling technologies. According to Intuitive Surgical, January 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter 2024 Earnings Release', the utilization of the Ion endoluminal system—which leverages AI-driven planning—grew approximately 70% compared to the prior year, highlighting the critical role of computational precision in modern thoracic care.

Segmental Insights

The Wedge Resection segment constitutes the fastest growing category within the Global Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Market. This expansion is principally driven by the rising adoption of Low-Dose Computed Tomography screening, which enables the detection of pulmonary nodules at earlier, more manageable stages. In response, surgeons are shifting towards lung-sparing procedures for small, peripheral tumors to preserve maximal respiratory function, moving away from extensive lobectomies. Additionally, updated clinical recommendations from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network support sublobar resection for select early-stage patients, thereby validating this transition and fueling the segment’s rapid development.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global minimally invasive thoracic surgery market, driven by the high prevalence of respiratory disorders and lung malignancies. This dominance is supported by the extensive adoption of robotic-assisted surgical systems and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery across the region. Additionally, the presence of supportive healthcare infrastructure and favorable reimbursement frameworks established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services encourage procedure uptake. Continuous product approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration further enable the integration of new technologies into clinical practice.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, Medtronic secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance for its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system. While the initial approval focused on urologic procedures, the platform is a major competitor in the global soft-tissue robotics market, where it is utilized for thoracic and gynecologic surgeries in other regions. The system features a modular design with independent arm carts and an open console, offering hospitals a flexible alternative to existing robotic platforms. This regulatory milestone marked a significant expansion of the company's presence in the United States, positioning it to challenge established technologies in the broader minimally invasive surgery space.
• In July 2024, Johnson & Johnson MedTech announced the launch of the ECHELON 3000 Stapler in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The device was engineered with a wider jaw aperture and powered articulation to address the specific challenges of stapling thick or compromised tissue, such as lung parenchyma encountered during thoracic surgeries. By providing surgeons with improved access and control in confined spaces like the thoracic cavity, the stapler aimed to reduce the risk of complications such as air leaks. This product release expanded the company’s portfolio of advanced surgical instruments for minimally invasive procedures.
• In May 2024, Olympus highlighted its latest respiratory health solutions at the American Thoracic Society International Conference. The company showcased a hybrid bronchoscopy portfolio that included a new AI-powered screening program designed to identify patients suitable for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction. This algorithm-driven process analyzes chest CT scans to assist physicians in selecting candidates for the minimally invasive treatment of emphysema. Alongside this software, the company presented advanced bronchoscopes compatible with its endoscopy system, emphasizing its commitment to improving early diagnosis and treatment pathways for thoracic conditions.
• In March 2024, Intuitive Surgical received FDA 510(k) clearance for its fifth-generation robotic system, the da Vinci 5. This next-generation platform was cleared for use in all surgical specialties indicated for the company’s previous systems, including general thoracoscopic surgical procedures. The system features force-sensing technology, which enables surgeons to feel subtle forces exerted on tissue during operations, a capability designed to reduce tissue trauma. Additionally, the platform includes a high-performance 3D display and enhanced computing power, representing a significant technological advancement in the market for minimally invasive thoracic interventions.

Key Market Players

• Intuitive Surgical
• Medtronic
• Stryker
• Karl Storz
• Olympus
• Richard Wolf
• CONMED
• Boston Scientific
• LivaNova

By Region

North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE