Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

Overview

In video-assisted thoracic surgery, the surgical instruments and video camera are passed through the chest wall and the surgeon uses images on the video monitor to guide the instruments.

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Mayo Clinic was among the first to offer video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and today a specialized group of general thoracic surgeons perform the procedure on a regular basis. Patients receive specialized postoperative care on a floor of the hospital dedicated solely to chest surgery patients, complete with pulmonary rehabilitation services and specialized pain control services.

A growing number of conditions are diagnosed and treated using VATS. Mayo Clinic thoracic surgeons work closely with other specialties to ensure optimal and individualized care for each patient. All of these services are available in a single practice, and physicians regularly consult one another to determine the best care for each patient.

What is VATS?

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat problems in the chest.

During this surgery, one or more small incisions are made in the chest. A tiny fiber-optic camera (called a thorascope) is inserted through one incision, and surgical instruments are inserted through this or other small incisions. The thorascope transmits images of the inside of the chest on a video monitor, guiding the surgeon in maneuvering the instruments to complete the procedure.

VATS can replace a traditional thoracotomy, which uses one larger incision to gain access to the chest. The minimally invasive procedure typically results in less pain and faster recovery time for the patient, among other advantages for patients.

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Who Is a Candidate for VATS?

Because VATS is used for many different diagnostic and treatment procedures, each patient is evaluated individually to determine if VATS is appropriate. The best candidates are those who have never had chest surgery before, because scar tissue from previous procedures can make access into the chest cavity more challenging.

One procedure that can be performed using VATS is the removal of small lung nodules and small pieces of lung (lung biopsies). However, larger spots (those larger than two inches in diameter) may require the surgeon to create a larger incision to have enough of an opening to remove the specimen.