Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to diagnose and treat problems in your chest.

During VATS, a tiny camera (thoracoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted into your chest through small incisions in your chest wall. The thoracoscope transmits images of the inside of your chest onto a video monitor, guiding the surgeon in performing the procedure.

Why it's done

Surgeons use the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery technique to perform a variety of operations, such as:

• Biopsy to diagnose lung cancer, mesothelioma and other chest cancers
• Esophagus surgery (esophagectomy)
• Hiatal hernia repair
• Surgery to relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease

When compared with a traditional open operation (thoracotomy), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery may result in less pain and shorten recovery time.