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Synopsis

VATS, or video-assisted thoracic surgery, is a minimally invasive surgery that helps to diagnose and treat problems in the respiratory organs. This article will give you complete information about the procedure, its needs, risks, benefits, and where you can get it done.

Introduction

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems affecting the respiratory system. The thoracic is the area between the neck and abdomen and is called the thorax. The concerned surgeon will insert a thin tube with a camera on its end through a small incision in the chest to view the inside of the chest. In this article, you will learn everything about VAT and VATS surgery Chennai.

Diagnostic Purposes

VATS helps to diagnose the following conditions:

  • Lung Biopsy: It helps to diagnose lung diseases such as tumours, nodules, or interstitial lung disease.
  • Mediastinal Biopsy: It helps to diagnose problems such as lymphoma or thymoma affecting the space between the lungs.
  • Pleural Biopsy: It helps to diagnose the conditions such as pleural effusion.
Diagnostic Purposes

Therapeutic purposes

VATS can also be used to treat certain lung conditions, such as:

  • Lung cancer surgery: It helps in removing a lung lobe, a lung segment, or a small part of the lung.
  • Pneumothorax treatment: It helps to treat recurrent collapsed lungs due to infection.
  • Drainage of fluid from the lungs: It also helps to remove excess fluid from the lungs.
  • Thymectomy: Doctors use VATS to remove the thymus gland that gets affected in myasthenia gravis.
  • Esophagus surgery: VATS can also be used for some kind of oesophagal disease or cancer. 

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How is VATS performed?

Video-assisted thoracoscopy is performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon. The doctor has additional training in performing surgery in the chest area to diagnose and treat the conditions.

 

Process Before VATS

  • The surgeon will give you some instructions before surgery. You have to avoid eating or drinking up to 12 hours before surgery.
  • You have to avoid taking certain medications, like blood thinners, in order to avoid the risk of bleeding and herbal supplements.
  • You also have to quit smoking and avoid alcohol intake before surgery.
  • The doctor will ask you to get some blood tests and imaging tests done. Imaging tests include Chest X-ray, CT Scan, and electrocardiogram.
  • The doctor will also order a pulmonary function test, X-ray examination of the gastrointestinal region, and endoscopy.

 

During the Procedure

  • The doctor performs surgery in a hospital. The doctor will give general anaesthesia, and you will lie on the non-surgical side.
  • The surgeon will make several small incisions in the chest.
  • He will insert the device through one incision, which will allow you to see the images of the inside of your chest on a video screen.
  • Then, he inserts surgical instruments through other incisions.
  • The doctor will use video images to guide and remove the diseased part, tissue, or organ.
  • The incisions will be closed using removal stitches or staples.

 

After the Procedure

After the procedure, the surgeon sends tissues to a lab for a biopsy. A lung specialist examines the tissue for signs of cancer, infection, or other disease. The findings will give a further course of action.

Post-surgery Care

You may have to stay in the hospital for a few nights after the procedure. The doctor will give instructions during the discharge. You must follow the instructions carefully for a healthy and quick recovery. At home, you must keep the following things in mind:

  • Surgical dressings should be changed regularly.
  • Avoid driving for some time and stay at home.
  • Avoid lifting heavy things for some time.
  • Take medicines and antibiotics on time as prescribed by the doctor.

Benefits of VATS

VATS is a minimally invasive procedure. The benefits include:

  • It has less risk of blood loss as small incisions are made in the chest region
  • The patient has to stay for a short period in the hospital.
  • There is less scarring and pain after the procedure.
  • In this surgery, recovery is fast due to small incisions.
  • There is a lower risk of infection and complications.
  • The patient can return to normal activities quickly.

Risks of VATs

Every surgery is associated with some risks and complications. The risks of VATS include:

  • Damage to nearby glans, nerves, organs, and blood vessels may occur during the procedure.
  • Some people suffer from arrhythmias or irregular heartbeat.
  • Blood clots and strokes may occur at the site of incision
  • Sometimes, hypoxemia occurs due to low oxygen in the blood
    In some patients, lungs collapse, or lung air sacs do not inflate properly.
  • Infection may occur at the site of incision
  • There is also a risk of internal bleeding and blood loss
  • Respiratory problems such as pneumonia may occur after surgery.
     

Why Choose Gleneagles Hospital for VATS?

Gleneagles is a renowned hospital for surgical procedures such as Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). It is a minimally invasive technique used to diagnose and treat chest and lung problems. You should choose VATS surgery Chennai hospital for the following reasons:

  • Experienced Thoracic Surgeons: Gleneagles Hospital has a team of experienced and dedicated thoracic and cardiothoracic surgeons who specialise in performing VATS. The surgeons have extensive experience in their field ,and they use the latest surgical techniques to provide the best results.
  • State-of-the-Art Technology: Gleneagles Hospital is equipped with the latest medical techniques. The hospital has high-definition endoscopic cameras for proper visualisation. The hospital also has 3D imaging and a real-time navigation system to improve surgical precision and results.
  • Minimally Invasive Procedure: Doctors perform chest surgery using minimally invasive procedures. This reduces pain and scarring. It also minimises the risk of infection. The patient can return to daily activities quickly.
  • Multidisciplinary Approach: The doctors use a multidisciplinary approach to treat patients. A team of experts, including thoracic surgeons, oncologists, pulmonologists, anaesthesiologists, and physiotherapists, are available in the hospital to offer comprehensive and tailored treatment to the patients.
  • Personalised Postoperative Care: Patients receive personalised care after surgery. 24/7 nursing staff is available to help with pain management and quick recovery of patients. The hospital also offers rehabilitative programs such as breathing exercises and physiotherapy. Doctors monitor every patient closely for faster recovery.
  • High Success Rate: The hospital has a high success rate in lung surgeries due to the availability of world-class facilities and highly experienced surgeons. 

Conclusion

VATS has made it easy for patients to undergo chest or lung surgeries. It is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery. It is an effective technique that helps to diagnose and treat lung and chest problems. You must choose a VATS surgery Chennai hospital to get the best results. This procedure helps in quick recovery and causes less pain and discomfort to the patients. Most doctors choose this method to help patients recover quickly from lung and chest problems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between VATS and open chest surgery (Thoracotomy)?

In VATS, doctors make smaller incisions which causes less pain and discomfort to the patients. There is a lower risk of complications in VATS and minimal scarring after surgery. The patient has to stay for a short period in the hospital and recover quickly. On the other hand, in thoracotomy, the doctor makes a large incision in the chest. This causes more pain and discomfort, and the patient has to stay in the hospital for a long time. Also, it takes more time to recover after open chest surgery.
 

How long does it take to recover after VATS?

Patients have to stay in the hospital for 3-5 days. You may experience mild pain and discomfort after surgery. You can return to your normal activities in 2-4 weeks after surgery. The doctor will recommend doing light exercise and breathing therapy for quick recovery. It may take a few months to heal completely after VATS, depending on your general health and the type of procedure you undergo.
 

How often do I have to visit the hospital for follow-up care after VATS?

You may have to visit the hospital for a regular follow-up after VATS. It is important to monitor healing and lung function. The doctor will check for complications and ensure that the condition is treated properly and will not return. Follow-up care is scheduled for a few weeks after surgery.
 

Is VATS a good choice for lung cancer surgery?

Yes, VATS is used for lung cancer at an early stage. The doctor uses this procedure to remove tumour cells through the removal of a lung lobe or a small lung portion. It is used as it causes less pain and helps in quick recovery. However, for larger tumours, open surgery may be used.
 

What are robotic VATS?

Robotic VATS is a technique in which the surgeon controls robotic arms to improve precision. It gives better visualisation and causes less pain after surgery. A surgeon can make delicate movements using robotic arms. But, it is an expensive technique. 
 

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