VATS
VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat conditions within the chest, especially the lungs and surrounding areas. Instead of making a large incision, the surgeon uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera (called a thoracoscope) and specialized surgical instruments inserted through small incisions in the chest. VATS allows the surgeon to view inside the chest cavity on a video monitor and perform procedures with precision, reducing the trauma to the body associated with open surgery.
Purpose of VATS
VATS is often used for:
- Lung Biopsy: Sampling lung tissue to diagnose conditions like cancer, infection, or interstitial lung disease.
- Lung Cancer Treatment: Removing lung tumors, lobes, or segments as part of cancer treatment.
- Pleural Effusion Management: Draining excess fluid from the space around the lungs (pleural space) and performing pleurodesis, a procedure to prevent fluid from reaccumulating.
- Pleural and Lung Conditions: Treating conditions like pneumothorax (collapsed lung), infections, or pleural thickening.
- Esophageal and Mediastinal Procedures: Accessing the esophagus or structures within the chest cavity (mediastinum), such as lymph nodes, to diagnose or treat various conditions.
Advantages of VATS
- Minimally Invasive: VATS requires only small incisions, resulting in less pain and a faster recovery.
- Reduced Hospital Stay: Patients typically stay in the hospital for a shorter period than with traditional open surgery.
- Lower Risk of Complications: There’s a reduced risk of infection, bleeding, and other complications.
- Faster Recovery: Patients generally experience less post-operative pain, which allows for a quicker return to daily activities.
- Better Cosmetic Results: Smaller incisions result in minimal scarring.
Conditions Treated with VATS
VATS is used for a wide range of thoracic conditions, including:
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary nodules
- Pleural effusions
- Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
- Empyema (infection in the pleural space)
- Mediastinal tumors or cysts
- Esophageal disorders
