Videoassistirovannaya torakalynaya surgery – VATH

Description Video-Thoracic Surgery

VATH is a type of chest surgery, which is performed through tiny holes in the chest. During the operation by a doctor makes small VATH incisions and uses a tiny camera (the so-called thoracoscopy) and other small tools. Images from the camera are transmitted television monitor, Guided by the doctor who performs surgery.

Reasons for Video-Thoracic Surgery

VATH used to diagnose and treat a number of diseases. Common causes include holding VATH:

• Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer;
• Removal of the diseased area or lobe of the lung;
• Diagnosing lung infections;
• Treating lung collapse;
• Drainage of liquid from the thoracic cavity;
• Diagnosis and treatment of thymus (Body Chest).

Compared to traditional procedures, VATH has advantages:

• It causes less pain and faster recovery;
• Short hospital stay;
• Fewer complications;
• Fewer scars.

Possible complications of video-assisted thoracic surgery

Complications are rare, but the procedure does not guarantee the absence of risk. If you plan to VATH, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Infection;
• Bleeding;
• Problems, associated with anesthesia;
• Air leakage from lung;
• Chest pain;
• The need to switch to open thoracic surgery (eg, to remove a large portion of the lung).

Some factors, that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Existing heart or lung disease;
• Smoking;
• Obesity;
• Diabetes;
• Previous breast surgery;
• The use of some drugs.

How is Videoassisted Thoracic Surgery?

Preparation for the procedure

Before VATH physician may be assigned or held as follows:

• Medical examination and blood tests;
• Lung function tests help the doctor determine the, how well your lungs are functioning;
• CT – such as X-rays, which uses computer, to make pictures of structures inside the chest;
• Electrocardiogram – test, which detects heart activity by measurement of electrical current through the heart muscle;
• The tests assess heart function.

On the eve of the operation:

• Tell your doctor about taking any medications. A week before surgery, perhaps, you need to stop taking certain drugs (eg, aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin);
• If you are taking insulin, perhaps, You need to adjust the dose. Talk to your doctor about this;
• It is necessary to arrange a ride home after the operation and assistance at home during recovery;
• In the evening before surgery you can eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything the night.

Anesthesia

When applied VATH general anesthesia, which supports a patient in the sleep state during operation.

Procedure VATH

You will be connected to a ventilator, which supplies and sucks air from the lungs.

On the side of the skin in the chest area will be done a few small incisions. To fill the chest cavity will be used carbon dioxide. This will allow the doctor to better see the internal structure of the chest. Through one of the incisions the doctor inserts a thoracoscope. This device will transmit the camera image on the monitor. Doctor, Guided by the resulting image, conducting an operation. The other sections will be inserted miniature tools, allowing the doctor to cut, cut and sew fabric.

When the transaction is completed, tools will be removed. The chest drainage tube will be placed to remove air or fluid. The doctor closes the incisions sutures or staples.

Immediately after VATH

If you can breathe independently, breathing tube will be removed. In the recovery room the hospital staff will monitor the vital functions. Through the IV you can enter the necessary fluids and medications.

How long will Videoassisted Thoracic Surgery?

1-2 o'clock (depending on the procedure).

Videoassistirovannaya torakalynaya surgery – Will it hurt?

You may have pain after surgery. The doctor will give pain medicine.

The average time of stay in the hospital after VATH

You will be able to go home the next day after surgery. If carried out with the help of VATH lobectomy (removing part of the lung), usually stay is 3-4 day.

Care after VATH

Care in a hospital

During recovery in the hospital, you can get the following help:

• Fluids and pain medicine through an IV;
• Assistance in moving after surgery;
• Instructions on how, how to breathe deeply and cough. You will learn, how to use an incentive spirometer. This will prevent pneumonia;
• X-rays to monitor treatment – drainage tubes will be removed from the breast, as soon as the lungs heal;
• Instructions about nutrition and physical activity.

Home Care

Follow your doctor's instructions, which may include:

• Walk day;
• Take prescribed painkillers. Some pain medications cause constipation. To avoid this, you need to drink plenty of fluids and eat foods high in fiber;
• Continue to use the incentive spirometer to deep breathing. You will also be asked to cough up;
• Keep the incision site clean and dry;
• Limit active until full recovery after surgery.

Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe or expose the surgical site to water.

Contact your doctor after vasectomy

After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, if there was any of the following symptoms of:

• Cough or shortness of breath;
• Coughing up yellow, green, or bloody mucus;
• New chest pain;
• Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, strong pain, bleeding or discharge from the incision;
• Difficulty urinating (eg, pain, burning, frequent urination, bleeding);
• Pain and / or swelling of the legs, calves and feet;
• Constant nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea;
• Headache, a feeling of weakness or dizziness;
• Other worrisome symptoms.

Seek immediate medical help in the following cases:

• Sudden chest pain;
• Sudden shortness of breath.