Minimally Invasive
Thoracic Surgery
The
only method surgeons used, in the past, to remove masses from the chest
cavity of their patients was major "open" surgery.
A recently developed surgical procedure,
Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS), allows surgeons to remove those
masses with very small incisions. Surgeons are now allowed to
remove masses close to the outside edges of the lung, and diagnose
pneumonia, infections or tumors of the chest wall. This procedure
has also been used to inflate lungs that collapse repeatedly.
A VATs procedure is performed in an
operating room of a hospital, under general anesthesia. When VATs
is used to evaluate a condition, such as an external rib cage condition,
a lighter form of anesthesia is used.
During the procedure, you will lie on
your side and a very small incision is made between your seventh and
eighth ribs. A very small camera, called a thoracoscope, is
inserted into the incision. Your surgeon will then be able to see
the work they are doing by watching the video screen in the operating
room. At the end of the procedure, your lungs will be re-inflated
and all but one of the incisions will be closed. A tube is placed
through the remaining incision in order to help drain any leaking air or
fluid that collects after the surgery. Most patients need to spend
several days post-operatively in the hospital after the surgery.
What are the risks in
a VATS surgery?
 |
|
Cancer
of Lung Nodule |
Patients recover from a VATS surgery
quickly because the wounds from the incisions are much smaller.
You will have a slight scar. Some potential risks include air
leaks from the lung that don't heal quickly. A diagnosis of cancer will
help your doctors decide if you need further surgery.
What do I have to do
after the VATS surgery?
Most patients remain in the hospital for
several days after a VATS surgery in order to recover. A chest
tube, to drain leaking air or fluids, is still attached to the
chest. Any fever, shortness of breath or chest pain should be
reported immediately.
When will I find out
the results of the VATS surgery?
Your doctor will be able to discuss the
results of the surgery as soon as it has been completed. The
results of any biopsy, however, will take several days to be completed.
