A video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) may be done before or instead of a thoracotomy. This procedure involves inserting a long, thin tube (videoscope) with a camera attached and small surgical instruments into your chest through small cuts made between your ribs. The VATS method may be used to:
- Confirm the diagnosis of lung cancer.
- Biopsy lymph nodes in the center part of your chest (mediastinum).
- Perform a wedge resection of your lung cancer.
- This removes the cancer and the lung tissue surrounding the cancer.
- Remove the segment (lobe) of the lung that contains the cancer, in some cases.
Providence Thoracic Surgery Program provides specialized surgical treatment for disorders of the chest organs, particularly the lungs and esophagus.