Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

VATS Applications

Specially trained chest surgeons at Mayo Clinic use VATS to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including:

Pleural diseases. The pleura is a two-layer membrane that lines the chest cavity and surrounds both lungs. Following a chest trauma, emphysema or lung surgery, patients can develop pneumothorax or hydropneumothorax (collection of air or fluid or both in the pleural cavity). Pleural effusions (abnormal collections of fluid in the pleura) can be caused by trauma or disease. Surgeons at Mayo Clinic use VATS to evacuate the pleura of air or fluid, and then can perform VATS pleurodesis (roughing up and/or applying talc to the pleura to form scarring) to control the problem by fusing the space between the lung and chest wall.

VATS is also used to diagnose cancer of the pleura (see below).

Mesothelioma. A rare cancer of the membranes lining the chest, abdominal cavity or heart, mesothelioma can be diagnosed with a VATS biopsy. VATS pleurodesis can also be performed on these patients.

Lung Cancer. VATS is used to remove pieces of lung (wedge resection), lung nodules and lobes (lobectomy) and any suspicious spots on the lungs along with a margin of healthy tissue. These samples can then be tested for cancer.

Interstitial Lung Disease. This term covers a wide range of diffuse lung diseases. VATS is used to obtain pieces of lung to ascertain a diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.

Empyemas. An empyema is a collection of pus and fluid that develops from a lung infection such as pneumonia. VATS is used to drain the excess fluid and allow the lung to reexpand.

Granulomas. Masses of inflamed tissue can develop in the lungs from other underlying conditions. VATS can be used to diagnose and remove granulomas.

Lymphomas. VATS also can be used to diagnose cancers originating in the lymph nodes (lymphomas). Surgeons can remove samples of abnormal lymph nodes to determine the type and location of lymphoma.

Hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) is related to certain nerves in the chest. Mayo Clinic chest surgeons can use VATS to perform a sympathectomy or sympathotomy (removal or cutting of the specific nerves that cause the sweating).

Pericardial effusion. A collection of fluid in the sac (pericardium) surrounding the heart can be caused by a range of diseases and conditions. VATS can be used to evacuate (drain) the fluid.