Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgeries (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to perform various procedures within the thoracic cavity, utilizing a video camera and specialized instruments. It involves the insertion of a small video camera, called a thoracoscope, and other surgical instruments through small incisions in the chest wall.
During a VATS procedure, the thoracoscope provides a magnified view of the inside of the chest, displaying the images on a video monitor for the surgeon to assess. This allows the surgeon to perform the surgery by operating the instruments while watching the real-time visuals on the monitor, without the need for large incisions.
VATS is commonly employed for treating a range of conditions involving the lungs, pleura, mediastinum, and chest wall, such as lung cancer, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), pleural effusion (fluid accumulation in the chest), and mediastinal masses. It offers several advantages over traditional open thoracic surgery, including smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and improved cosmetic outcomes.
Although VATS is a less invasive technique, it still requires general anesthesia and careful patient selection. The surgeon must possess specialized training and experience to successfully perform VATS procedures, and not all conditions or patients may be suitable for this approach.
In summary, Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgeries (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses video cameras and specialized instruments to perform various procedures within the thoracic cavity. It offers several benefits over traditional open surgery and is commonly used for treating thoracic conditions.
