Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

You may need video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to diagnose or treat lung cancer. Healthcare providers also use VATS to diagnose and treat thoracic conditions like esophageal cancer, lung infections and pleural effusion. Compared to an open-chest surgery (thoracotomy), VATS offers a faster, less painful recovery with fewer complications.

Overview

What is video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)?

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a procedure to diagnose and treat certain conditions that affect your chest area. Healthcare providers insert a thin tube with a tiny video camera on the end (a thoracoscope) into a small incision in your chest.

This scope allows your provider to view inside your chest cavity. Your provider inserts surgical instruments into separate small incisions. They use images from the thoracoscope to guide and perform procedures. You may also hear the term video-assisted thoracoscopy.

What does thoracic mean?

Thoracic refers to the area between your neck and abdomen known as the thorax. It includes some blood vessels and lymph nodes (part of your lymphatic system), as well as your:

Who needs VATS?

Healthcare providers mostly use VATS to diagnose and treat lung cancer or metastatic cancer that spreads to your lungs.

VATS also helps providers diagnose and treat other thoracic conditions like:

Procedure Details

Who performs VATS?

A thoracic (chest) or cardiothoracic (heart and chest) surgeon performs video-assisted thoracoscopy. These medical doctors have additional training in performing surgery to diagnose and treat conditions in your chest area.

What are the types of video-assisted thoracic surgeries (VATS)?

Thoracic surgeons use VATS to perform different procedures like:

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What happens before VATS?

You should follow your surgeon’s instructions on what to do before the procedure. They may need you to fast (not eat or drink) for a certain period of time before surgery. Your surgeon may ask you not to take certain medications, including vitamins and herbal supplements. You may also need to quit smoking.

Before surgery, you may get tests such as:

What happens during VATS?

VATS takes place in a hospital or surgical center. You receive general anesthesia to sleep through the procedure. You’ll lie on your nonsurgical side during surgery.

Depending on the thoracic condition and VATS procedure, your surgeon:

  1. Makes several quarter-inch to half-inch incisions in your chest. Or they make a single incision for a uniport VATS (U-VATS) procedure.
  2. Inserts the scope device, which sends images of the inside of your chest to a video screen.
  3. Inserts surgical instruments into the other incisions.
  4. Uses the video images to guide the removal of the diseased tissue or organ.
  5. Closes the incisions with removable stitches or staples.
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What is robotic VATS?

Some surgeons use robotic technology to perform video-assisted thoracoscopy. Your surgeon views images from the thoracoscope to guide a robotic surgical device that removes tissue or the diseased organ.

What happens after VATS?

Your surgeon may send tissue to a lab for a biopsy. A specialist examines the tissue for signs of cancer, infection or disease. The findings may indicate a need for additional surgery or treatments.

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Risks / Benefits

What are the benefits of VATS?

VATS is a minimally invasive procedure. This means it takes place through small incisions. An open-chest surgery (thoracotomy) takes longer to perform. It requires a large incision to spread open the ribs and access the chest area. As a result, the recovery is often longer and more painful.

Benefits of VATS include:

  • Less risk of blood loss that may require a blood transfusion.
  • A shorter hospital stay.
  • Less severe postoperative pain and scarring.
  • Faster recovery of respiratory function.
  • Lower risk of infection or complications.
  • A quicker return to daily activities.

What are the risks of VATS?

VATS carries a risk of complications like:

Recovery and Outlook

What is recovery like after VATS?

Most people need to spend a few nights in the hospital after surgery. You should carefully follow your discharge instructions. Doing so will promote a healthy recovery and lower your risk of complications.

Your at-home recovery may include:

  • Changing surgical dressings regularly.
  • Not driving and staying home from work or school for a designated time.
  • Resting and not lifting anything heavy for a set time.
  • Taking antibiotics, pain relievers or other medications as directed by your provider.

What is the outlook for people who have VATS?

Your outlook depends on the specific thoracic disorder, your overall health and the success of treatments. Your thoracic surgeon can discuss your prognosis with you based on your unique diagnosis.

When to Call the Doctor

When should I call the doctor?

You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Chest pain.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Signs of infection, such as redness or yellow discharge at the incision site or a fever.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

You may need video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to diagnose or treat lung cancer. Healthcare providers also use VATS to diagnose and treat other thoracic conditions that affect your heart, esophagus and chest area. VATS is a minimally invasive procedure with a faster recovery than with an open-chest surgery (thoracotomy). You should also have less pain and scarring. Your provider can discuss whether VATS is the right procedure for your unique health situation.

Medically Reviewed

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/09/2022.

Learn more about our editorial process.

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