Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery

Most minimally invasive surgical procedures are performed with small telescopes and instruments placed through the chest wall in a procedure known as thoracoscopy.

Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery

In video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), a tiny fiber-optic camera called a thorascope is used. Surgeons operate through two to four tiny openings between the ribs while viewing the patient's internal organs on a television monitor. Each opening is less that one inch in diameter, instead of the 6- to 10-inch incisions that are common in open thoracic surgery.

Many different procedures may be done by VATS. Using VATS can shorten recovery time and allow a quicker return to work in many cases.

VATS Procedures

VATS is often used to:

• Treat hyperhidrosis
• Small lung nodules
• Conduct a lung or pleural biopsy
• Perform a lobectomy
• Help drain pleural effusion