What is VATS surgery on the lung?

What is VATS surgery on the lung?

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a procedure in which a small tube called a thoracoscope is inserted through a small incision between the ribs. At the end of the tube is a small camera. This lets the surgeon see the entire chest cavity without having to open up the chest or spread the ribs.

Is VATS considered major surgery?

VATS lung surgery has revolutionized the treatment of many different lung diseases. VATS is major surgery that has risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options.

Is VATS high risk surgery?

Conclusions: VATS lobectomy offers patients who are considered to be at increased risk for open lobectomy a feasible procedure, with no difference in overall survival compared with SR patients, and decreased morbidity compared with open lobectomy.

How long does it take to recover from VATS surgery?

The amount of time you will need to recover depends on the surgery you had. But you probably will need to take it easy at home for at least 1 to 2 weeks.

Why is a VATS procedure done?

One common reason to do VATS is to remove part of a lung because of cancer. You have 2 lungs: a right lung and a left lung. These lungs connect to your mouth through a series of tubes. Through these tubes, the lungs bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide from the body.

Is a VATS procedure painful?

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is generally considered to be a less invasive and painful approach than open thoracotomy (1-4).

What is a thoracoscopic procedure?

Thoracoscopy is a procedure a doctor uses to look at the space inside the chest (outside of the lungs). This is done with a thoracoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a light and a small video camera on the end.

Is VATS lung surgery painful?

What is the most common thoracic surgery?

The most frequent thoracic surgeries are performed for the treatment of primary lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma. For lung cancer, the standard procedures are pneumonectomy and lobectomy with associated mediastinal lymphadenectomy.

How long does a VATS wedge resection take?

The operation will take between three and six hours, depending upon what type of wedge resection your healthcare provider performs. After surgery, you’ll stay in the post-operative recovery unit while you wake up from anesthesia.

Why would you see a thoracic surgeon?

In most cases, people see a thoracic surgeon when their primary care doctor or other doctor finds or suspects a problem that requires chest surgery, such as heart disease, lung cancer, or swallowing problems in the esophagus.

What is the difference between a cardiothoracic surgeon and a thoracic surgeon?

Thoracic surgeons mainly treat lung cancer, lung disease, and diseases in the esophagus and chest wall. Cardiothoracic surgeons, by contrast, operate on more diseases in organs in the chest and in the chest cavity.