Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

VATS is a minimally invasive approach to removing lung cancer. During this surgery the surgeon will make 3 or 4 small incisions along the ribcage of the patient. This allows the surgeon to insert a camera and small instruments in order to work within the chest cavity. This approach does not require any spreading of the ribs and subsequently causes much less postoperative pain. All of the involved lung tissue and any potentially affected lymph nodes can be removed with this approach. The nature and extent of the malignancy will determine the amount of tissue that needs to be removed and any possible associated procedures that may be necessary. Average length of stay for this surgery is 3-5 days.