Thoracoscopic lung lobectomy – video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

The operation to remove or resect a lobe of the lung, in most cases, is performed in the case of lung cancer when it is necessary to remove the tumour. In other cases, indications for removal of the lobe of the lung are conditions and diseases such as pulmonary oedema, chest damage, or severe infections.

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. About 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Primary lung cancer is cancer that originates from lung tissue, while secondary lung cancer begins in another part of the body and spreads to the lungs (in the form of metastases). About 30% of patients are diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, which can be treated with surgery to remove the tumour (usually in the first and second stages, but the operation can also be performed in the third stage). In the later stages of the disease, when metastases have spread to other organs, surgery is not considered the initial method, but radiation therapy or chemotherapy is usually prescribed.

How is the lung lobe removed?

The leading Israeli clinic Tel Aviv Medical Clinic employs experienced professionals who have all the necessary skills and knowledge for the treatment of diseases. Our department is equipped with modern equipment that allows the use of unique methods of therapy. Our leading cardiothoracic surgeons perform surgery to remove part of the lung by a mini-invasive method, through 3 small punctures in the chest without separation or damage to the ribs. This method is called VATS thoracoscopy or CCTV lobectomy. This is a small invasive operation performed through 3 small incisions on the sides of the patient’s chest. 

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia before which the patient will be given a sedative to reduce anxiety. During the operation, a bronchoscope and a two-channel breathing tube are inserted into the patient’s lungs into the patient’s trachea, since during the operation the respiratory function is performed only by the non-operated lung. The bronchoscope is an optical tube with a camera that allows the surgeon to monitor the area being operated. Depending on the case, some patients have an epidural catheter to relieve postoperative pain. This catheter remains in the postoperative days to provide self-control of the introduction of pain relief in accordance with the level and pain threshold of the patient.