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Synopsis

VATS lung surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used for the diagnosis and treatment of ailments in the chest. It is primarily used to diagnose and treat lung cancer, but it can also be used in other thoracic conditions like oesophagal cancer and pleural effusion.

Introduction

VATS lung surgery is becoming an increasingly common procedure for treating complex lung conditions. This technique is also used for procedures in the heart, oesophagus, thymus, pleural, or pericardium. It has significantly fewer risks compared to conventional open-chest surgery and can improve the quality of life for patients. VATS requires specialised training and clinical experience to achieve maximum benefits. Choose Gleneagles Hospitals to ensure the best outcome for your VATS Lung Surgery in Hyderabad.

What is VATS Lung Surgery?

In a VATS lung surgery, your thoracic or cardiothoracic surgeon inserts a tiny tube with a video camera at the end, called a thoracoscope, through the small incision in your chest. This helps your surgeon see clearly inside the chest cavity. Your surgeon will then insert specialised surgical instruments into separate small incisions and perform the procedure with the help of the thoracoscope. VATS surgery is typically used to diagnose and treat lung cancer or metastatic cancer that has spread to the lungs. Since the procedure is minimally invasive, it reduces surgical trauma, has less visible scarring, and a faster recovery period.

Types of VATS Lung Surgery

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a popular, minimally invasive method to treat complex lung conditions. Here are some common types of VATS lung surgery in Hyderabad:

  • VATS Lobectomy: It removes a lobe or a large section of the lungs. It is typically reserved to treat lung cancer.
  • VATS Wedge Resection: It removes the small wedge-shaped pieces of the lung tissue that are used to diagnose nodules or treat early-stage lung cancer.
  • VATS Bullectomy: It is a VATS surgical procedure to remove the air-filled spaces (bullae) of the lungs, usually used to treat conditions like emphysema.
  • VATS Thymectomy: This VATS surgical procedure removes the thymus gland of the lungs. It is mostly used to treat myasthenia gravis or thymoma.
  • VATS Biopsy: This procedure removes small amounts of tissue from the patient’s lungs to examine for cancer cell growth.

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Why Choose VATS Lung Surgery?

VATS lung surgery is a beneficial procedure that treats complex lung conditions with minimally invasive surgeries. It makes small incisions that lead to less pain and scarring, as well as fewer postoperative complications. Here are some common cases where VATS lung surgery offers significant improvements:

  • Lung Cancer: VATS can be used to diagnose and treat lung cancers effectively.
  • Pneumothorax: This refers to a condition where the lung collapses partially or completely due to an air leak in the space present between the lung and the chest wall.
  • Pleural Infection: It is a bacterial infection in the pleural space that can lead to serious complications and even death.
  • Pulmonary Nodule: These are small and abnormal growths in the lungs that are typically asymptomatic.
  • Empyema Thoracis: It is a medical term for pus in the chest that occurs when pus collects in the pleural space. It is usually caused by bacterial infection.
  • Pleural Effusion: It is a buildup of fluid in the space between the lung and the chest wall.

Preparation for VATS Lung Surgery

Proper preparation for VATS lung surgery has many steps. One must be aware of how to prepare for VATS lung surgery for a smooth procedure and successful outcomes.

  • Preoperative Evaluation At first, your doctor will review your overall health and conduct a physical examination to assess your condition. Imaging tests are usually recommended to evaluate the condition of the lungs. Other diagnostic tests like pulmonary function tests, blood tests, ECG, and bronchoscopy are conducted to see whether you are fit to undergo the surgery.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments You will be advised to quit smoking for at least 2-4 weeks before the surgery to improve healing. Eat a healthy and balanced diet to support recovery. Engage in light physical exercises to maintain lung function. Limit the intake of alcohol to avoid complications.
  • Medication Adjustments You will be asked to stop taking blood thinners. If you take diabetes medication, it will be adjusted.
  • Hospital Preparation Avoid food or drink for at least 6-8 hours before the surgery. Pack your essentials, like loose clothing, personal hygiene items, ID, and documentation for the hospital.
  • Mental Preparation Prepare your areas of doubt and ask questions to your surgeon to relieve anxiety and have realistic expectations. Seek help if you are feeling distressed or anxious about the procedure.
Preparation for VATS Lung Surgery

VATS Lung Surgery Procedure

VATS lung surgery is a pivotal procedure to diagnose and treat complex lung conditions. Understanding the procedure helps relieve any undue anxiety in the mind of the patient. Here is a brief overview of the VATS lung surgery procedure steps:

  • Anesthesia & Patient Preparation The patient will be put under general anaesthesia, and a breathing tube will be inserted for lung ventilation. The patient is positioned on their side with the affected lung facing upward. The operating area is sterilised, and the monitoring equipment is set up.
  • Incision & Camera Insertion The surgeon will make 2-4 small incisions of 3-4 cm each that are made between the ribs. A thoracoscope is inserted through one incision to get a detailed and magnified view of the chest.
  • Surgical Procedure Depending on the condition being treated, different surgical procedures will be performed. Procedures like lobectomy, wedge resection, bullectomy, and pleural procedures are the most commonly performed VATS lung surgery.
  • Closure The surgeon closes the small incisions with sutures or staples.

Recovery and Aftercare

At Gleneagles Hospital, you will be administered complete pain management to help with the discomfort after VATS lung surgery in Bangalore. The chest tube remains in place for 1-3 days to drain fluid and excess air. Breathing exercises and early mobilisation are encouraged.

You will need to keep the area of the incision clean. Always look out for signs of infection around the incision area. Avoid heavy lifting for a few weeks. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and alcohol go a long way in improving lung function.

Risks & Complications after VATS Lung Surgery

There are a few risks and complications involved -

  • Air Leak: In this case, air continues to leak from the lung even after surgery.
  • Bleeding: Bleeding can happen during and after the surgery.
  • Infection: Wound infections or lung infections can occur after surgery.
  • Nerve Damage: There is always a potential that nearby nerves could get damaged in the procedure.
  • Arrhythmias: Abnormal heart rhythm can occur during or after the surgery. Blood Clots:
  • Blood clots can form in the legs or the lungs after the surgery.

Why Choose Gleneagles Hospital for VATS Lung Surgery?

Gleneagles Hospitals is the top name for VATS lung surgery in Hyderabad. It has seen great success over the years with the help of expert specialists and a patient-centric approach.

  • Expert Surgeons: Our surgeons are highly skilled and experienced with VATS surgery.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our facilities provide for the needs of patients undergoing VATS.
  • Minimally Invasive Techniques: Our minimally invasive VATS surgery has less downtime.
  • World-Class Infrastructure: Our modern operating rooms and recovery facilities provide comfort to the patients.
  • High Success Rate: We have an exceptional success rate in a short period.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is VATS lung surgery?

VATS lung surgery in Hyderabad is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed to treat complex lung conditions, primarily lung cancer.

What are the benefits of VATS lung surgery in Bangalore?

VATS lung surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that has fewer risks, less postoperative trauma, and a shorter recovery period.

Why is VATS lung surgery done?

VATS lung surgery is commonly used to treat lung cancer and pleural effusions and to perform biopsies of lung tissues.

What is the recovery period for VATS lung surgery?

Patients need 4–8 weeks to recover and return to normal activities after VATS lung surgery.

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