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Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

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 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.

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

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
  •  American College of Surgeons
  • The Society of Thoracic Surgeon
  • American Medical Associations
  • American COllege of Chest physicians
  • California Medical Accosiantions
  • Orange County Medical Society
  • State of California
  • California Thoracic Society