Vats

 

 

Video-assisted thoracic surgery, also referred to as VATS, is similar to thoracoscopy in its use of small incisions and a small flexible camera.  However, other small incisions are also made to allow additional surgical instruments into the chest wall area in order to perform more aggressive biopsies or complete resections of tumors.  Compared to thoracotomies, which require a large incision and spreading of the ribs, VATS procedures usually have a less painful and shorter recovery period.

Anna L. Kaplan, M.D.

 

 

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