Vats Segmentectomy

Knowing that one may require lung surgery might be distressing. Most patients are concerned about pain, prolonged periods of recovery and the effects of the surgery on their future breathing. Lung surgery has improved immensely over the years, making procedures safer and recovery easier. One such advancement is VATS segmentectomy.

With a VATS segmentectomy, the surgeon can do minimally invasive lung surgery as it allows removal of the diseased lung segment while preserving as much healthy lung tissue as possible. At Gleneagles Hospitals, this practice is carried out with high regard to patient comfort, safety and long-term lung health.

VATS stands for Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery. A segmentectomy is a lung procedure in which a portion of the lung is removed rather than an entire lobe.

In simple terms, VATS segmentectomy is a keyhole lung surgery. Rather than making a large chest incision, surgeons use small incisions and a miniature camera that can peer inside the chest. The images displayed on the screen by this camera are clear, allowing the surgeon to excise only the diseased portion of the lung.

This technique, which preserves healthy lung tissue, is frequently used for benign lung illnesses, tiny lung nodules, and early-stage lung cancer.

VATS segmentectomy is recommended in cases when less of the lung is sufficient to cure the condition. Doctors critically evaluate a patient before prescribing this surgery.

Key Reasons for Choosing VATS Segmentectomy

• It removes only the affected part of the lung, which helps preserve healthy lung tissue and improves breathing, particularly for patients with limited lung capacity.
• Small incisions are used to reduce pain, shorten hospitalisation, decrease the risk of infection, and shorten the recovery process.
• It is a good treatment option for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and some metastatic lung tumours.
• It can be used in patients with reduced lung function or who have other medical conditions in which extensive surgery can prove dangerous.
• It allows safe resection of suspicious nodules of the lungs that are found near vital blood vessels or airways.

The goal is to cure the disease by eliminating the affected part without causing more impairment to the breathing capacity after surgery.

Not every patient with a lung ailment will require or have access to this surgery. Doctors take many factors into account.

Patients who may benefit from VATS segmentectomy include:

• People who have small, localised lesions in the lungs.
• Patients with lung cancer diagnosed at an early stage.
• Individuals who have limited lung capacity and may not withstand bigger operations.
• Patients who have a scan that shows the disease in isolated sections of the lung.
• Individuals who are medically fit to undergo surgery following a check-up.

All cases are carefully examined using scans, lung function tests, and general health examinations.

VATS segmentectomy is a safe procedure that is extensively practised; however, not everyone may be a good candidate. Doctors may advise against it if:

• The disease involves several lung segments or an entire lobe.
• The tumour is large or advanced.
• The patient has severe heart or lung disease that increases surgical risk
• There are medical conditions that make anaesthesia unsafe.

In this situation, one can discuss alternative treatment or surgery.

At Gleneagles Hospitals, VATS segmentectomy is performed by highly qualified thoracic surgeons in a well-equipped operating theatre.

Before the Surgery

A detailed evaluation of patients is carried out before surgery. This involves imaging scans, a lung function test, a blood test, and a medical history review.

Patients are usually advised to:

• Limit food and drink consumption for several hours before surgery.
• Tell the doctor all the medicines, particularly blood thinners.
• Stop smoking well before the procedure, if applicable.

The surgical team clarifies the procedure, anticipated benefits, and recovery process to help patients feel informed and reassured.

During the Surgery

The surgery is done under general anaesthesia. The cuts are small and done on one side of the chest. Through these openings, a camera and surgical instruments are inserted.

The surgeon then identifies the affected section of the lung under the camera direction and removes it. Examination of lymph nodes can also be done where necessary. The incisions are then closed, and a temporary chest tube can be inserted to aid lung re-expansion. Depending on the complication of the case, the surgery lasts a few hours.

Compared to open lung surgery, recovery from VATS segmentectomy is typically faster.

After the procedure:

• Patients are monitored in the hospital for a few days.
• Pain can be mild to moderate and is treated with medication.
• Breathing exercises are advised to help the lungs recover.
• Walking is started early to prevent complications.

The majority of patients can resume their daily activities in a matter of weeks. Physicians provide clear guidance on wound care, activity, and follow-up visits.

VATS segmentectomy are considered safe in general; however, there are certain complications associated with it, as with any other lung surgery. The majority of them last for a shorter period and can be treated in time.

More common complications include:

• Prolonged air leaks from the lung surface, which typically resolve when observed.
• Surgical pain in the areas of incision or the chest.
• Light to moderate bleeding during and/or after surgery.
• Infection in the places of incisions or even in the lungs, such as pneumonia.
• Problems with breathing, such as partial lung collapse.

Less common but serious complications include:

• Sensation of nerve discomfort that results in chronic chest pain.
• Blood clots in the legs or lungs.
• Fluid build-up in the lung after re-expansion.
• Irregular heart rhythms
• In exceptional cases, doctors opt for open surgery.

VATS segmentectomy offers several patient benefits, as it is a less invasive treatment that removes only the affected portion of the lung.

Key benefits include:

• Minimally invasive method: It is performed using small keyhole incisions without a large incision on the chest.
• Less postoperative pain: Less pain compared to the conventional open lung surgery.
• Quick recovery: Patients can move, eat, and get back to their daily activities more quickly.
• Shorter hospital stay: Many patients can return home earlier.
• Minimal blood loss: The method reduces surgical bleeding.
• Better lung function: Healthy lung tissue is maintained by excising only the diseased section.
• Smaller scars: Small cuts heal, leaving behind minimal evidence of scars.
• More appropriate for wider range of patients: It can be used with older patients or those with a lower lung capacity, as it elicits less surgical effort.

Patients who require lung surgery can get comprehensive care at Gleneagles Hospitals.  Attention is always given to safe treatment, effective communication, and the patient's comfort.

Key strengths include:

• Skilled surgeons with years of experience who have been trained in minimally invasive surgery.
• Advanced imaging and surgical technology.
• A multidisciplinary treatment approach that includes pulmonologists, anaesthetists and the critical care groups.
• Every patient is taken through the entire journey, discussing even minor details from diagnosis to recovery.

One of the recent surgical procedures offered in modern medicine as a specific solution for a range of lung diseases is VATS segmentectomy, which allows the removal of diseased tissue without compromising the function of a healthy lung. It is not only an effective treatment that reduces pain and speeds recovery in many patients.

At Gleneagles Hospitals, the patient-first method is used in carrying out the procedure in a safe, comfortable, and long-term healthy manner. Patients are advised to openly communicate with the care team about their preferences and concerns so they can make well-informed decisions about their treatment.