What is Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)?
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 a 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.
Indications of Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery
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
Benefits of Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery
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
