Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat problems in the chest.
Tissue removal to diagnose chest cancers, including lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma, a type of cancer which affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs.
Lung surgery, such as surgery to treat lung cancer and lung volume reduction surgery.
Procedures to remove excess fluid or air from the area around the lungs.
ou may need to have tests to find out if VATS is a good option for you. These tests may include imaging tests, blood tests, lung function tests and a heart evaluation. If you're scheduled for surgery, your health care provider will give you specific instructions to help you prepare.
In a traditional open surgery, called a thoracotomy, a surgeon cuts open the chest between the ribs. Compared with open surgery, VATS usually results in less pain, fewer complications and shortened recovery time. If the purpose of VATS is to take a sample of tissue for a biopsy, you may need additional surgery, depending on the results of the biopsy./p>
