Precision in practice
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)
If you've been told you need surgery for a condition affecting your lungs or the space around them, you may not always need a large incision across the chest. Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive technique that allows many chest procedures to be performed through a few small cuts, helping patients recover faster with less pain.
VATS may be recommended for a variety of conditions, including lung nodules, recurrent fluid around the lungs, collapsed lungs (pneumothorax), certain lung infections, biopsies of the lung or lymph nodes, and some early-stage lung cancers. It can also be used to diagnose conditions when scans alone cannot provide clear answers.
During the procedure, a tiny camera is inserted through a small incision between the ribs, giving the surgeon a clear, magnified view of the chest cavity. Specialised instruments are introduced through two or three additional small openings to perform the surgery with precision. Since the muscles and ribs are not widely separated as they are in traditional open surgery, patients usually experience much less discomfort after the procedure.
The advantages of VATS include smaller scars, less pain, reduced blood loss, a lower risk of infection, and a shorter hospital stay. Most patients are able to get out of bed and start walking within a day, allowing them to recover and return to their daily routine much sooner than with conventional chest surgery.
Every patient undergoes a detailed evaluation before surgery, which may include chest CT scans, pulmonary function tests, blood investigations, and other imaging studies. These help determine whether VATS is the most suitable option for the condition being treated.
With experience in minimally invasive thoracic procedures, Dr. Sanjay Sonar focuses on providing safe, evidence-based treatment while ensuring that every patient understands their diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery journey. The aim is always to achieve the best possible surgical outcome with the least disruption to everyday life.