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Dr Diego González Rivas

Thoracic Surgery

Dr Diego González Rivas

Specialist in
  • Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (VATS and single-port).
  • Robotic thoracic surgery.
  • Hyperhidrosis (thoracic sympathectomy).
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Professional profile

An internationally renowned thoracic surgeon recognised for his work in developing and promoting single-port minimally invasive thoracic surgery. His clinical work focuses on the advanced surgical treatment of pulmonary, mediastinal and tracheobronchial conditions using state-of-the-art video-assisted thoracoscopic and robotic techniques.

Throughout his career, he has pioneered numerous surgical innovations, including the performance of anatomical lung resections via a single-port approach, major lung surgery without intubation and with spontaneous breathing, as well as the development of single-port robotic techniques applied to thoracic surgery.

He has developed international programmes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery and is actively involved in training surgeons at numerous hospitals across Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, contributing to the global expansion of these techniques.

His work combines clinical practice, scientific research and technological development applied to advanced thoracic surgery.

Education

Specialist training in thoracic surgery and lung transplantation undertaken at leading hospitals, complemented by international experience in minimally invasive thoracic surgery.

1999 – 2003 | Training in Thoracic Surgery and Lung Transplantation. University Hospital of A Coruña.
1992 – 1998 | Degree in Medicine and Surgery. University of Santiago de Compostela.

Professional experience

Professional career spent working in international hospitals and specialist programmes in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, combining clinical practice, technological development and surgical training.

2010 – Present | Founder and surgeon. Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery Unit (UCTMI).
2010 – Present | International Co-Director. UMICS Programme (Uniportal Minimally Invasive Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery).
2015 – Present | Director of the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery programme. Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, China.
1999 – Present | Associate Surgeon. Ernst von Bergmann Hospital (Germany) and Chest Disease Hospital (Kuwait).
1999 – 2015 | Thoracic surgeon. University Hospital of A Coruña. Member of the lung transplant programme.
1998 – 1999 | Doctor. University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela.

Scientific publications

Scientific work focusing on the development and evaluation of advanced techniques in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, single-port robotic surgery and the surgical treatment of complex pulmonary conditions.

2025 | Podaru R, Gonzalez-Rivas D, Gallego Poveda J, Partida González C. Apnoeic Oxygenation for Contralateral Uniportal Multiple Lung Resection Following Right Pneumonectomy. A & A Practice. DOI: 10.1213/XAA.0000000000002067.
2025 | Li C, Xie Z, Ding C, Chen J, Zhu X, Shi Y, Fang Z, Gonzalez-Rivas D, Zhao J. Safety and Efficacy of the SHURUI Single-Port Serpentine-Arm Robotic Surgery System in Lung Surgery: A Prospective Single-Centre Study. Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery.
2025 | Kanani F, Zahalka A, Kamar M, Nugzar R, Wiesel O, Refaely Y, Salhab A, Shimonov M, Gonzalez-Rivas D, Abu Akar F. Postoperative Pain Outcomes Following Uniportal Versus Multiportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Surgery. DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2025.1689456.
2025 | Li C, Li S, Xu J, Deng W, Ding C, Gonzalez-Rivas D, Zhao J. Non-intubated Uniportal Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Left Main Bronchus Sleeve Resection with Half-Carinal Reconstruction. JTCVS Techniques. DOI: .
2025 | Wu CY, Hsieh MJ, Wu YF, Gonzalez-Rivas D, Kuo CT, Wu CF. Early Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Uniportal Robotic- and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Lung Anatomic Resection: A Retrospective Study. Journal of Robotic Surgery. In press.

Areas of special focus

Clinical practice focused on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of complex thoracic conditions using advanced minimally invasive techniques.

  • Lung cancer and complex pulmonary conditions.
  • Mediastinal conditions.
  • Tracheal and bronchial conditions.
  • Primary hyperhidrosis.
  • Thoracic conditions suitable for a minimally invasive approach.

Techniques and procedures

Application of advanced surgical techniques in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, including state-of-the-art video-assisted thoracoscopic and robotic approaches.

  • Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).
  • Single-port robotic thoracic surgery.
  • Major lung surgery without intubation and with spontaneous breathing.
  • Thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis.
  • Bronchovascular, tracheal and carina reconstructions using a minimally invasive approach.

Accreditations and memberships

Active participation in international scientific societies dedicated to the development of thoracic and cardiothoracic surgery. These include:

  • European Board of Thoracic Surgery (FECTS).
  • American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS).
  • Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT).
  • European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS).

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