What is Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery?

VATS is a type of chest surgery that requires making tiny openings in the chest. During VATS, the doctor makes small, keyhole incisions and uses a tiny camera (called a thoracoscope) and other small tools. Images from the camera are sent to TV monitors. The doctor relies on these images to do the surgery.

VATS is used to diagnose and treat a range of conditions. Common reasons to undergo VATS include:

• Diagnosing and treating lung cancer
• Diagnosing lung infections
• Treating collapsed lungs
• Draining fluid out of the chest cavity

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Compared to traditional procedures, VATS may result in:

• Less pain and faster recovery
• Shorter hospital stay
• Fewer complications
• Less scarring

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have VATS, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Anesthesia-related problems
• Air leaking from the lungs
• Chest pain
• The need to switch to open chest surgery (eg, to remove a larger area of the lung)

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Pre-existing heart or lung condition
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Previous chest surgery
• Use of certain medicines

Discuss these risks with your doctor before surgery.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Cough or shortness of breath
• Coughing...