Minimally invasive, thoracoscopic, and laparoscopic techniques are used to diagnose and treat many lung conditions with comparable results to conventional thoracac surgery. Thoracoscopy refers to the insertion of a narrow tube or endoscope through 3 small key-hole incisions. The thoroscope is equiped with a specialized camera and it has the ability to insert specialized surgical equipment to access the area of interest within the chest cavity.
Less invasive thoroscopy which is also called VATS (video-assisted thoracic surgery) can offer a more accurate disease diagnosis to treat a various diseases of the chest, including pleural conditions, infections, nodules, esophageal conditions, and tumors and cysts of the mediastinum (the tissues of the center of the chest). Less invasive thoroscopy offers the same potential benefits as all less invasive procedures such as aquicker and less painful recovery. Each diagnosis is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all patients are appropriate candidates for less invasive thoracic surgery. Check with your health care specialist to see if you are a candidate for less invasive thoracic surgery.

Less invasive thoroscopy aids in the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. Less invasive thoracoscopy can significantly reduce the morbidity associated with the traditional surgical removal of lung nodules. Hyperhidrosis - or excessive sweating which is controlled by the autonomic portion of the central nervous system. Stressful situations stimulate the autonomic nervous system which can cause profuse perspiration. Less invasive endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or ETS is a procedure that can reduce or even eliminate excessive sweating. Less invasive lobectomy - or the removal of a lobe or large portion of the lung due to lung cancer can be performed via VATS procedure. The surgical outcome is comparable to conventional open lobectomy.

Key-hole incisions from less invasive thoroscopy

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