Thoracoscopy Surgery

What is Thoracoscopy?

Thoracoscopy is defined as a procedure that a doctor applies to examine the cavity of the chest (apart from the lungs). This is done with the help of a thoracoscope which is nothing but a thin tube-like instrument with light and a video camera at the end of it. The tube is inserted through an incision removed just beside the lower part of the shoulder blade and between the ribs. Thoracoscopy may be done in context with VATS, which stands for video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Thoracoscopy is employed in VATS which is a minimally invasive chest surgery performed by the providers. Being able to show pictures to a video monitor within the surgical room while performing their tasks.

When is a Thoracoscopy Used?

Your healthcare provider can use a thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery when they need to:

To receive information that they could not obtain by an ordinary chest X-ray, CT, or an ultrasound
Excise some of your pleura (the inner layer of the chest wall)
Take out dead tissue in your lung (lung volume reduction surgery)
Exhale and remove the air particles from your lungs
Prevent and treat lung cancer by taking out part of your lung (lung resection)
Discharge any excess fluid from your pleural space and take medication to prevent fluid from accumulating (pleurodesis)

This procedure may be necessary if you have lung cancer or mesothelioma. Furthermore, your treatment provider may perform a thoracoscopy in the case where you have cancer on your thymus gland or esophagus.

Factors that affect Thoracoscopy Surgery Cost in India

Hospital or clinic’s location
Medication costs
Patient Condition
Duration of treatment
The expertise and experience of medical professionals

How is it Done?

Like any surgery, thoracoscopy may be performed on an outpatient basis or as an inpatient procedure depending on the extent of the procedure. This is often done on an outpatient basis so you may only require a regional block (not a general) and perhaps mild sedation. The outpatient procedure is similar to what is described below for the inpatient (VATS) procedure done in the operating room.

Medications will be administered through a vein into your bloodstream so that you become unconscious (general anesthesia).
A tube will be passed into your throat and connected to a lung ventilator.
A small incision about 5mm is made in the back below the tip of the shoulder blade between two ribs through which the thoracoscope is inserted.
A second small incision is made below the breast on the same side to put in the instrument with the cutting tool.
Air may be evacuated from the lung to ease visual access.
Abnormal areas are biopsied or excised.
If fluid needs to be removed, a cut is made on the lower chest wall and a flexible pipe (intercostal tube) is inserted.
Tools are withdrawn and the incisions are covered.
Patient is woken and extubated.

Procedure duration: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours or longer.

After The Procedure

All incisions sutured
Monitored closely after surgery
Drowsiness, confusion, numb throat, and soreness common
No food or drink until sensation returns
May experience hoarseness or coughing
Tenderness at incision sites

If outpatient:

Discharged within a few hours
No driving due to anesthesia
Must follow post-operative instructions carefully

Symptoms to report:

Fever
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain
Coughing up blood

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Thoracoscopy a Big Surgery?
A: This kind of surgery is minimally invasive. Fewer incisions than open surgery.

Q: What Is Thoracoscopy Used For?
A: Examining and obtaining biopsies of lung tissue, pleura, lymph nodes, or chest wall.

Q: How Much Time Does Recovery from a Thoracoscopy Take?
A: Most return to work in 1–2 weeks. Showering allowed after 24–48 hours (with care).

Q: What Advantages Does a Thoracoscopy Offer?
A: Minimally invasive with high diagnostic yield and lower risk than traditional methods.