Vats
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat diseases in the chest.
During a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery procedure, a camera (thoracoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted into your chest through several small incisions. The thoracoscope transmits images of the inside of your chest onto a video monitor, guiding the surgeon in performing the procedure.
Almost all traditional thoracic surgeries can be performed using a minimally invasive technique. We will carefully evaluate you to determine the safest surgical approach to treat your medical condition.
Surgeons use the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery technique to perform a variety of operations, such as:
- Biopsy to diagnose and chest cancers
- Lung surgery, such as surgery to treat lung tumours
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Procedures to remove excess fluid, pus or air from the area around the lungs
- Surgery to relieve excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
- Thymus gland removal surgery (thymectomy)
When compared with a traditional open operation (thoracotomy), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has less pain and shortened recovery time.
