Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version.This content does not have an Arabic version. Search Request an Appointment Find a Doctor Find a Job Give Now Log in to Patient Account English Español العربية 简体中文 Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube Menu Request an Appointment Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS
Print Overview
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat problems in your chest. During a VATS procedure, a tiny camera (thoracoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted into your chest through one or more small incisions in your chest wall. The thoracoscope transmits images of the inside of your chest onto a video monitor, guiding the surgeon in performing the procedure. Products & Services
Sign up for Email: Get Your Free Resource – Coping with Cancer Why it s done
Surgeons use the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery technique to perform a variety of procedures, such as: Biopsy to diagnose lung cancer, mesothelioma and other chest cancers Lung surgery, such as surgery to treat lung cancer and lung volume reduction surgery Procedures to remove excess fluid or air from the area around the lungs Surgery to relieve excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) Surgery to treat certain types of esophageal disorders Surgery to remove part or all of the esophagus (esophagectomy) Hiatal hernia repair Thymus gland removal surgery (thymectomy) Certain procedures involving the heart, ribs, spine and diaphragm Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Risks
Possible complications of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery include: Pneumonia, a lung infection Bleeding Temporary or permanent nerve damage Damage to organs near the procedure site Anesthesia-related effects VATS can be a good option for people who are not good candidates for open surgery due to health concerns. However, VATS may not be appropriate for people who have had chest surgery previously. Talk with your doctor about these and other risks of VATS. How you prepare
You may need to have some tests to determine whether video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a good option for you. These may include imaging tests, laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests and cardiac evaluation. If you're scheduled for surgery, your doctor will give you specific instructions to help you prepare. What you can expect
Usually people undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery are given a general anesthetic, which means they're asleep during surgery. You'll have a breathing tube put down your throat into your trachea to provide oxygen to your lungs. Then a surgeon makes small incisions in your chest and inserts specially designed surgical instruments to perform the procedure. During VATS, you may be in surgery two to three hours and may stay in the hospital for a few days, though that can vary, depending on the extent of the procedure and your situation. Results
When compared with a traditional open operation (thoracotomy), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery typically results in less pain, fewer complications and shortened recovery time. If the purpose of VATS is to biopsy tissue, you may need additional surgery, depending on the results of the biopsy. By Mayo Clinic Staff Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS care at Mayo Clinic Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments Jan. 28, 2020 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pulmonary-disorders/diagnostic-and-therapeutic-pulmonary-procedures/thoracoscopy-and-video-assisted-thoracoscopic-surgery. Accessed Oct. 10, 2019. Bendixen M, et al. Postoperative pain and quality of life after lobectomy via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or anterolateral thoracotomy for early stage lung cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Lancet Oncology. 2016; doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(16)00173-X. AskMayoExpert. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS lobectomy. Mayo Clinic; 2019. Raft J, et al. Anesthesia for thoracic ambulatory surgery. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology. 2019; doi:10.1097/ACO.0000000000000795. Rowse PG, et al. Minimally invasive thymectomy: The Mayo Clinic experience. Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery. 2015; doi:10.3978/j.issn.2225-319X.2015.07.03. Bencini L, et al. Esophageal surgery in minimally invasive era. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2016; doi:10.4240/wjgs.v8.i1.52. Demmy T, et al. Overview of minimally invasive thoracic surgery. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 11, 2019. Oshikiri T, et al. Current status of minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: Is it truly less invasive? Annals of Gastroenterological Surgery. 2019; doi:10.1002/ags3.12224. Brown A. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. July 30, 2019. Litin SC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Dec. 6, 2019. Related
Products & Services
Sign up for Email: Get Your Free Resource – Coping with Cancer Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota Mayo Clinic in Phoenix Scottsdale Arizona and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida have been recognized among the top Pulmonology hospitals in the nation for 2022-2023 by U S News & World Report
Learn more about this top honor Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS
AboutDoctors & DepartmentsCare at Mayo Clinic Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book PRC-20212626 Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS