What is the definition or description of: video assisted thoracoscopy?

VAT: This is just looking inside the chest with an endoscope but instead of looking down the tube connecting it to a television.

VATS: Vats is video assisted thoracic surgery and is often used interchangeably with thoracoscopy. It refers to performing an operation in the chest using small incisions, long instruments, and a camera. It is the thoracic (i.e. Chest) equivalent of laparoscopy.

Add: I would agree with dr person and just add... Many surgeons may use a scope in their operation but the true vats utilizes small incisions and there is no rib spreading. If lobectomy, the gold standard is an anatomic operation, complete node sampling, small incisions, and no rib spreader. Is described by drs. D’amico and mckenna.