What does a VATS Lobectomy involve?

VATS Lobectomy, or thoracoscopic lobectomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove an entire lobe of the lung. It is performed under general anesthesia through 3 to 4 small incisions (each about 1-2 cm) in the chest wall, through which a tiny camera and specialized instruments are inserted. The surgeon views the lung on a high-definition monitor and carefully detaches and removes the diseased lobe, while the remaining healthy lung tissue expands to fill the space. This approach avoids the large incisions and rib-spreading required in traditional open surgery, leading to less postoperative pain and a faster recovery.