Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery, often referred to as VATS, is performed using a small video camera that is introduced into the patient’s chest via a scope.
It is used both for diagnostic as well therapeutic procedures.
Compared with open thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is considered to be minimally invasive.
Indications of video assisted thracoscopic surgry or VATS are increasing as new technologies emerge and instrumentation gets better.
As of now VATS is used for following procedures. The indications are divided regionwise-
Thoracic Cavity
- Diagnosis or biopsy of any intrathoracic structure
- Laser application for treatment of tumors
- Diagnosis and drainage of pleural effusions
- Treat chylothorax
- Debride empyema
- Retrieval of intrathoracic foreign body
Lungs
- Wedge resection
- Lobe or segmental resection of lung
- Closure of persistent/recurrent pneumothorax
- Identification of broncho-pleural fistula
Pleura
- Lysis of adhesions
- Pleurodesis
- Decortication
Mediastinum
- Removal of mediastinal cysts
- Thymectomy
- Resection of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors
Esophagus and Diaphragm
- Tumor staging or resection
- Resection of esophagus
- Repair of diaphragm
- Anti-reflux operations
Heart and Great Vessels
- Pericardectomy
- Diagnosis of cardiac herniation after pneumonectomy
- Minimally invasive valve and coronary artery procedures
- Ligation of patent ductus (infants)
Spine and Nerves
- Dorsal thoracic sympathectomy
- Splanchnicolysis
- Drainage of spinal abscess
- Discectomy Fusion and correction of spinal deformity
Trauma
- Assess injury
- Treat hemorrhage
- Evacuation of clot
[...] Here is complete current list of procedures that can be done with VATS [...]