VATS lung surgery has revolutionized the treatment of many different lung diseases. VATS is major surgery that has risks and potential complications. You may have less invasive treatment options.
How long does a VATS surgery take?
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.
How long is recovery after VATS surgery?
In general, you may be able to return to work (if you have a sedentary job), resume driving and participate in most non-strenuous activities within 4 to 6 weeks after minimally invasive thoracic surgery. You can resume heavy lifting and other more strenuous activities within 6 to 12 weeks after surgery.
What type of surgery is VATS?
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a procedure in which a small tube called a thoracoscope is inserted through a small incision between the ribs. At the end of the tube is a small camera. This lets the surgeon see the entire chest cavity without having to open up the chest or spread the ribs.
How safe is VATS surgery?
Complications of VATS procedures are rare and the frequency is estimated as 3–4% of treated patients. The most frequent complication is prolonged postoperative air leak. The other significant complications are bleeding, infections, postoperative pain and recurrence at the port site.
Do they break ribs for lung surgery?
Your surgeon will make a surgical cut between two ribs. The cut will go from the front of your chest wall to your back, passing just underneath the armpit. These ribs will be separated or a rib may be removed. Your lung on this side will be deflated so that air will not move in and out of it during surgery.
What happens after VATS lung surgery?
Your chest may be sore where the doctor made the incisions and put in the surgical tools. This usually gets better after 2 to 3 weeks. You will have stitches or staples in the incisions. Your doctor will take these out 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery.
Why do a VATS procedure?
Healthcare providers can use VATS to completely remove part or all of an organ. For example, your healthcare provider might need to remove part or all of a lung because of traumatic injury, infection, or cancer. VATS is also used to remove part or all of the esophagus or the thymus, often because of cancer.
How long do you stay in hospital after lung surgery?
After the Procedure Most people stay in the hospital for 5 to 7 days after open thoracotomy. Hospital stay for a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is most often shorter. You may spend time in the intensive care unit (ICU) after either surgery.
Where is the incision for lung surgery?
A cut (incision) will be made on the front of your chest at the level of the lobe to be removed. The cut will go under your arm around to your back. When the ribs can be seen, a special tool will be used to spread them apart. The lung lobe will be removed.
What do you need to know about vats surgery?
VATS is carried out in the operating theatre. Before the procedure, a small needle will be placed in a vein to give you fluids and medications. It is usually done using a general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep for the surgery.
Why do you have to have a VAT on your lungs?
One common reason to do VATS is to remove part of a lung because of cancer. You have 2 lungs: a right lung and a left lung. These lungs connect to your mouth through a series of tubes. Through these tubes, the lungs bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide from the body.
Can a vat be used to remove all of an organ?
Can a person be back to full mobility after VATS surgery?
You should not expect to be back to full mobility immediately after the operation. Although VATS is a ‘keyhole’ procedure, the instruments have to pass between the ribs. Sometimes they can press against the nerves which also lie here. This may cause some pain or numbness in the area of the incisions.
