Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the chest cavity, including the lungs, pleura, and mediastinum.
During VATS, a small incision is made in the patient's chest, and a tiny camera (thoracoscope) is inserted through the incision to provide a magnified view of the inside of the chest. The surgeon can also insert other small surgical instruments through additional small incisions to perform procedures such as biopsies, removal of tumors, and drainage of fluid from the chest.
VATS has several advantages over traditional open chest surgery, including less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. It is commonly used to treat lung cancer, pleural effusions, pneumothorax, and other chest conditions. However, not all conditions can be treated with VATS, and sometimes, traditional open chest surgery may be necessary.
