Lung segmentectomy in Italy: Our Best Clinics and Costs 2026

Lung segmentectomy in Italy is a clinically proven, non-inferior alternative to full lobectomy for early-stage lung cancer. Italian registries demonstrate higher five-year survival rates of 67% and lower recurrence rates of 28% for Stage I tumors under 2 centimeters compared to traditional lobectomy.

• Survival outcomes: Five-year survival reaches 67% in Northern Italy cohorts for early-stage patients.
• Recurrence risk: Segmentectomy shows lower recurrence rates at 28% versus 35% for full lobectomy.
• Functional preservation: Surgeons prioritize this sub-lobar resection to better preserve vital respiratory and pulmonary function.
• Complication rates: Overall complications in European databases are lower for segmentectomy at approximately 25.6%.

Bookimed Expert Insight: While lobectomy was the historical standard, Italian IRCCS-accredited research hospitals like San Raffaele increasingly favor segmentectomy for its tissue-sparing benefits. This shift is significant because San Raffaele performs over 52,000 operations annually. Their data suggests that preserving lung volume does not compromise oncological safety for small, localized tumors.

Specialized Italian centers performing lung segmentectomy include IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, alongside Sant'Andrea Hospital in Rome. These facilities utilize minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery and video-assisted thoracoscopic techniques to treat early-stage lung cancer while preserving respiratory function.

• IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele: Performs 52,000 operations annually with advanced robotic systems in Milan.
• Sant'Andrea Hospital: Leading Roman thoracic unit completing over 1,300 specialized surgeries every year.
• Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy: Rome-based facility recognized for high-volume minimally invasive robotic thoracic procedures.
• European Institute of Oncology: Milanese center focusing on sublobar resections for precision cancer treatment.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian IRCCS-accredited hospitals like San Raffaele offer a distinct advantage by integrating research directly with clinical practice. This status is only granted to a limited number of institutions. It ensures patients access clinical trials and the latest sublobar resection techniques before they become standard elsewhere.

Patient Consensus: Patients recommend contacting university-affiliated centers in Milan or Rome directly to confirm surgeon-specific case volumes. Verifying personal procedural experience is more vital than general clinic reputation for complex segmentectomies.

Italian thoracic surgeons prioritize minimally invasive approaches like Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS). These techniques preserve lung tissue and function for early-stage cancer. Leading centers in Milan and Rome utilize multiportal, uniportal, and non-intubated configurations for these precise procedures.

• VATS configurations: Options include multi-port and single-incision uniportal techniques to minimize trauma.
• Robotic platforms: Robotic systems like Da Vinci provide 3D visualization for complex dissections.
• Patient state: Specialized clinics offer non-intubated surgery to accelerate recovery and reduce insult.
• Open conversion: Surgeons reserve thoracotomy for complex anatomy or managing rare intraoperative complications.

Bookimed Expert Insight: While traditional VATS is standard, centers like Ospedale San Carlo di Nancy specialize in robotic platforms. Data suggests high-volume centers performing over 8,000 annual operations, such as San Raffaele, offer superior precision. Patients should choose facilities with IRCCS accreditation, which signifies research-backed clinical excellence.

Patient Consensus: Most patients prioritize VATS to ensure a faster return to desk-type work within 2 weeks. They frequently mention that preserving lung function through segmentectomy helps maintain their quality of life.

A hospital stay after lung segmentectomy typically lasts 2 to 7 days. Minimally invasive approaches like VATS or robotic-assisted surgery allow discharge within 2 to 4 days. Open surgery usually requires 5 to 7 days for proper monitoring and pain management.

• Surgical technique: VATS or robotic methods often enable discharge in 2 to 3 nights.
• Chest tube management: Discharge occurs after fluid drainage stops and air leaks resolve.
• Mobility milestones: Patients usually begin walking within 12 to 24 hours post-surgery.
• ERAS protocols: Italian hospitals use Enhanced Recovery After Surgery to accelerate healing times.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian research hospitals like San Raffaele perform over 52,000 annual operations. These high-volume centers often utilize robotic systems like Da Vinci. Our data shows clinics with IRCCS accreditation often achieve faster discharge times. This happens because they integrate the latest surgical research into clinical practice.

Patient Consensus: Minimal surgery ensures faster discharge but requires strong home support for the first week. Patients emphasize that managing pain effectively at home is the biggest post-discharge challenge.

Good candidates for segmentectomy include patients with Stage IA non-small cell lung cancer characterized by peripheral tumors smaller than 2 cm. This lung-sparing surgery is preferred for individuals with compromised lung function, advanced age, or multiple primary tumors where preserving healthy parenchyma is vital.

• Tumor size: Ideal for nodules under 2 cm located in the outer lung third.
• Histology profile: Favored for ground-glass opacity lesions or pure adenocarcinoma in situ lesions.
• Pulmonary reserve: Recommended for patients with low FEV1 scores or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Patient age: Frequently performed for frail or elderly patients to reduce surgical impact.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian research centers like San Raffaele handle over 52,000 operations annually, often prioritizing parenchyma-sparing techniques. Data suggests that while lobectomy remains the oncology standard for fit patients, segmentectomy in Italy follows strict ESMO guidelines. This ensures that lung function preservation does not compromise curative outcomes for early-stage peripheral nodules.

Patient Consensus: Individuals often advocate for segmentectomy when dealing with comorbidities like COPD to minimize post-operative shortness of breath. Many emphasize the importance of requesting a second opinion if a surgeon overlooks tissue-sparing options for small, peripheral tumors.

Minimally invasive lung segmentectomy is available throughout Italy, primarily via a network of 65 specialized thoracic surgery centers. While video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is the national standard, robotic-assisted (RATS) platforms are concentrated in high-volume hubs like Milan, Rome, and Naples.

• Regional hubs: Facilities in Milan and Rome serve as primary centers for advanced robotic procedures.
• Network reach: The Italian VATS Group maintains 65 participating centers across northern and southern regions.
• Surgical standards: Specialized units like San Raffaele hold IRCCS accreditation for combining research with surgery.
• Technology access: Higher-volume academic hospitals offer robotic-assisted options that reduce recovery times significantly.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a high concentration of advanced thoracic expertise in Lombardy. San Raffaele in Milan performs 52,000 operations annually and holds Ministry of Health IRCCS status. This research-heavy environment often provides earlier access to sublobar resection techniques than smaller regional facilities.

Patient Consensus: Patients from southern regions frequently travel to northern hubs like Milan or Turin for robotic options. Many emphasize verifying that a surgeon handles at least 50 cases annually to ensure better outcomes.