Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive alternative to diagnose and treat a wide range of disorders of the chest and lungs that were traditionally managed through sternotomy or open thoracotomy. VATS utilizes a special instrument called a thoracoscope that has a built in camera. During the surgery the thoracoscope and special surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions over the chest. The thoracoscope transmits the images of the surgical area to a monitor which aid the surgeon during the procedure.

Some of the indications for video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) include:

• Lung, diaphragmatic and pleural biopsies
• Removing lymph nodes
• Treatment of various lung disorders like pleural effusion in which fluid accumulates in the lining of the lung
• Lung resection to treat cancer or other lung diseases
• Decortication
• Anti-reflux procedures
• Diaphragmatic plication

As VATS is performed through small incisions, it minimizes trauma and provides various other benefits as well that include:

• Less post-operative pain
• Fewer operative complications
• Shorter hospital stay
• Smaller scars
• Fast recovery
• Quicker return to daily normal activities