Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Dr. Mikio Okazaki is a pioneering thoracic surgeon whose research focuses on advancing minimally invasive surgical techniques for lung cancer and mediastinal tumors, with a particular emphasis on robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). His major contributions include optimizing port placement and patient positioning for robotic mediastinal tumor resections, as detailed in his 2022 work (10 citations), and developing a fissureless approach for robot-assisted lobectomy in patients with severe incomplete interlobar fissures (8 citations). Dr. Okazaki has also innovated the use of the prone position for robot-assisted intrathoracic dumbbell tumor resection (7 citations), demonstrating the versatility of robotic platforms. Notably, he leads the Japanese RATS Interest Group (J-RATSIG), coordinating multi-institutional prospective studies that critically evaluate postoperative pain outcomes—his 2024 study (4 citations) challenged assumptions by showing RATS may be inferior to VATS for pain, while his 2025 secondary analysis (3 citations) explored uniportal VATS as a potential solution. Through rigorous clinical research and technical innovation, Dr. Okazaki is shaping the future of thoracic surgery by systematically defining where robotic approaches offer genuine advantages.