[Video-assisted pulmonary excision surgery. Technique, indications and initial results].

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a compromise between conventional thoracic surgery performed via a thoracotomy of variable dimensions and surgical videothoracoscopy, which, using only small operating channels, requires the use of specific instruments, gives a field of vision exclusively by video camera and raises the delicate problem of extraction of the resection specimen. VATS is performed via a minithoracotomy, 3.5 to 5 cm long, using a video camera.

[Video-assisted pulmonary resection surgery. Technique, indications and first results].

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a compromise between conventional thoracic surgery performed via a thoracotomy of variable dimensions and surgical videothoracoscopy, which, using only small operating channels, requires the use of specific instruments, gives a field of vision exclusively by video camera and raises the delicate problem of extraction of the resection specimen. VATS is performed via a minithoracotomy, 3.5 to 5 cm long, using a video camera.