Watch the Video: Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery, often referred to as VATS, is performed using a small video camera that is introduced into the patient's chest via a scope. With the video camera, the surgeon is able to view the anatomy along with other surgical instruments that are introduced into the chest via small incisions or "ports".

Traditional surgical approaches have utilized a single large incision (cut) that is placed between the patient's ribs. The ribs are then spread apart, allowing the surgeon to look directly into the patient's chest. The surgery is then performed via this single large opening. These incisions are known as thoracotomies, and while very safe, are uncomfortable. By utilizing VATS, this large incision is avoided, thereby sparing the patient some of the post-operative pain and assisting them with a potentially quicker recovery.

In this video, the surgeon uses small instruments that have been introduced into the patient's chest via small (1/2-inch) ports. The surgeon views a video screen that shows the camera image.

There are 4 parts to this video:

• In part one, the surgeon is "exploring" the chest using VATS technology. The device that looks like a fan is used to move the lung around.

• In part two, the patient has recurrent collection of fluid in the chest secondary to a cancer, which is referred to as a "malignant pleural effusion". In the video, you see the surgeon sucking out the fluid. The white flashing light is actually sterile talcum powder being introduced into the chest. The talcum powder causes the lung to adhere to the chest wall, hopefully not allowing fluid to collect in this space.

• In part three, the surgeon is sampling a lymph node from the lung to get a biopsy, to see if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

• In part four, the surgeon is removing an abnormal mass from the lung. The mass was being removed to see if it was a cancer. It is placed in a small plastic bag to prevent any cancer cells from coming into contact with the chest wall as it is removed through a small (1/2 inch) incision.