The treatment procedure of Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
- The standard procedure of Video-assisted thoracoscopic Surgery includes three to four minor cuts in a triangular configuration, for inserting the thoracoscope and other instruments.
- Anaesthesiologists will then inject a dose of general anaesthesia into the patients. Anaesthesia is given in a supine position (A position of laying with the face of the patient-facing toward the sky and back toward the ground).
- A thin tube is inserted into the throat of the patient for assisting with breathing during the surgery.
- After this, the patient is positioned in a lateral decubitus position withholding arms over the head.
- After this, three cuts are made to your chest. These three cuts together make a triangular configuration.
- Then the surgeon may insert a thoracoscope and other instruments through the cuts. It is inserted through each incision to ensure the path for instruments.
- After creating all three ports, instruments are inserted, and surgeons remove or repair the damaged part.
- After the surgery, the cuts are closed using suitable sutures and bandages.
- Surgeons may insert a small thin tube in the chest cavity. These tubes are known as chest drains. This tube drains any excess liquid or gas into the chest cavity to leak out.
- What to expect before Video-assisted thoracoscopic Surgery? 7, 8
- Before the procedure of Video-assisted thoracoscopic Surgery, your doctor may check your overall health to confirm how good your lungs are working and how well are you to undergo the process. You may get:-
- X-ray of the chest.
- Blood test.
- Lung test.
- The doctor may advise an electrocardiogram to check the activity of the heart.
- Imaging tests of the chest such as CT scan and PET scan
- Your doctor may also ask you to:-
- Stop smoking
- Stop taking certain medicines like blood thinners.
- Include some exercise in your daily routine.
- Stop eating the night before the surgery.
- Perform breathing exercises.
- What to expect on the day of Video-assisted thoracoscopic Surgery? 9, 10
- Reach the hospital premise at the scheduled time.
- Do not wear jewellery and makeup while going to the hospital for surgery.
- Clothing that you wear to the hospital should be comfortable and loose-fitting. In addition, they should also be comfortable to wear after the surgery procedure.
- Do not wear any metal piercings, contact lenses or glasses to the hospitals.
- Surgeons will place an Intravenous tube into your veins and then wheel you to the operation theatre on a stretcher.
What to expect during surgery?
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery usually takes about 2 to 3 hours.
- All the procedure is done under the influence of general anaesthesia. So, you will be asleep during the whole procedure and will not feel any pain.
- The surgeon will make three small incisions in your chest, forming a triangular confirmation.
- A thoracoscope, a flexible tube with a camera at the head, would be inserted into one incision and the instruments in other incisions.
- After the surgery, the surgeon closes the cuts using self-dissolving sutures. Then it is bandaged by an experienced nurse.
What to expect after surgery?
- The drain tube is likely to be present at the time when you will wake up after the completion of surgery.
- The drain tube is used to drain the fluids from your chest cavity.
- Medical staff will continuously check your heart rate and blood pressure during your stay at the hospital.
- Stay at the hospital will vary depending upon the technique used by the surgeon.
- Surgeons will prescribe you some antibiotics to prevent the chances of infection.
- A breathing therapist may also assist you by giving you breathing sessions.
- Although the surgery includes minimal invasion, sometimes patients may feel slight discomfort around the ribs.
First follow-up appointment
- A follow-up appointment with the surgeon may be scheduled after 7 to 10 days of the surgery.
- Your surgeon may give you instructions regarding recovery at home.
- The surgeon may assess the wound sites and signs of recovery at follow-ups.
- They will provide guidelines about the care at home and when you can return home.
- Most people who undergo VAT surgery can return to work after three to four weeks of surgery.