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This is a much less invasive way of removing lung tissue compared with traditional open-thoracotomy surgery.
The most commonly performed technique is called VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). VATS lung resections are performed using two to four small incisions, most of which are less than an inch long. A tiny video camera is inserted through one incision, and the images are projected on a video monitor to guide the work. The other small incisions are used for surgical instruments. Mr Scarci only uses one small cut of 3 cm for all his procedures (uniportal VATS).
Robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is another form of keyhole surgery that, sometimes, can be particularly helpful. This uses robotic arms that allow the cardiothoracic surgeon to manoeuvre the camera and the instruments inside the body. It can be beneficial in complex cases, but it also costs a lot more than traditional keyhole surgery for lung cancer.
In patients who are not suitable for lung surgery, radiofrequency ablation can be considered.
Less pain – patients need less pain medication after their operation.
Less scarring – one small incision, compared with a six to ten-inch incision for open-chest surgery or four to 6 incisions for robotic surgery.
Shorter hospital stay – our average time to discharge after VATS is just over two days, compared with up to one week for open-chest surgery.
Quicker recovery – many people are back to their usual activities in about a week, whereas four to six weeks of recovery is needed after open-chest surgery.
Modern technology allows the completion of different types of surgery and complex operations with just one cut.
This is most likely to be appropriate for patients with early-stage lung cancer. The general teaching has always been that you cannot do keyhole surgery for lung cancer if you have received previous chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy, but, in expert hands, there are no limits to what can be achieved. Even the removal of the right lung or the left lung is possible.
Keyhole surgery is also an excellent tool for biopsying small nodules of unknown origin. Often, there is diagnostic uncertainty when small lumps in the lung are not accessible by CT-guided biopsy. In those cases, a consultant thoracic surgeon can easily take them out to achieve a diagnosis, often the procedure only involves taking out a small portion of the lung with what we call a wedge resection, occasionally if the suspicious of cancer is high we take out the whole lobe, in what we call diagnostic lobectomy. There are different types of lung surgery, ranging from removal of a small part of the lung (wedge resection) to a segment (segmentectomy) or lobe (lobectomy) to the entire lung (pneumonectomy).
The duration of keyhole lung surgery can vary depending on the individual case and the specific procedure being performed. However, on average, the removal of a lung lobe for cancer typically takes about 2 to 3 hours, sometimes significantly less. It mostly depends on the size of the cancer and the surgeon’s ability.
Generally speaking, this type of surgery is done for non-small cell lung cancer, but, occasionally, also small cell lung cancer or another type of lung cancer can be treated surgically.
As part of the procedure, the surgeon removes not only the lobe with the cancer in it but also the lymph nodes associated with that lobe to make sure they don’t contain cancer cells.
The recovery time for keyhole lung surgery can vary depending on individual factors and the specific procedure performed. Generally, the recovery period can range from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Patients are woken up immediately and are able to talk. They spend about one hour in the recovery room and then go back to the ward. In case of any pre-existing medical problems or complex procedures, patients are taken to the intensive care unit for one night.
It is normal to have a chest tube connected to a machine to drain fluid and air from the pleural space.
Patients are given a light dinner.
Pain relief is ensured by a combination of: long acting local anesthetic injection done during surgery, PCA pump (a morphine pump that can be pressed to deliver a small dose of medication whenver required) and, sometimes, crioanalgesia (stunning of the nerves along the rib cage with cold to reduce the pain sensation).
During the early days following the surgery, you may experience pain, discomfort, and some difficulty breathing. However, as time progresses, these issues should gradually improve. It is common for patients to be able to resume daily activities within a few weeks and return to work within 4-6 weeks, but this can vary.
In Mr Scarci’s practice, 2/3 of patients are discharged within 2 days and are able to resume activities in 2 weeks.
It is important to note that individual recovery times may differ, and it is essential to follow your doctor’s instructions, attend any follow-up appointments, and engage in any recommended rehabilitation or physical therapy to aid in a smooth recovery process.
To make patients comfortable, a combination of pain medications is prescribed; it is also very important to stay active. Paradoxically, the more time spent in bed, the higher the risk of complications. One serious complication is the formation of blood clots in the lungs, which might lead to severe breathing problems.
If patients follow the advice given, they should be able to resume normal activities pretty quickly and regain overall health and return to normal life as before surgery. When cancer cells are present in the lymph nodes, cancer risk is high, and your healthcare professionals might suggest further treatment in the form of chemotherapy or immunotherapy, some patients are also enrolled in advanced clinical trials.
It is normal to experience ups and downs during recovery, but overall, the trend is usually positive. Patients can also experience some pain, especially toward the end of the day.
As with any surgical procedure, lung cancer surgery carries immediate risks, including bleeding, infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Patients may experience post-operative complications, such as respiratory failure or pulmonary embolism. Moreover, lung surgery can lead to a condition called pneumothorax, where air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, causing lung collapse.
Long-term complications may include reduced lung function, which can lead to chronic respiratory problems. Patients may also experience pain that persists beyond the recovery period. Moreover, individuals who undergo extensive lung removal may have limited exercise tolerance and may need pulmonary rehabilitation to help them regain strength and lung capacity.
Recovery from lung cancer surgery varies among patients but includes a focus on pain management, respiratory exercises, and monitoring for signs of complications. Engaging in pulmonary rehabilitation can support recovery by offering physical therapy tailored to improve lung function and increase exercise tolerance.
Mr Marco Scarci has specialist expertise in keyhole surgery for lung cancer.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer and would like to explore minimally invasive surgical options, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Mr Scarci. With his experience in advanced techniques like uniportal VATS, he offers patients safer procedures, faster recoveries, and excellent outcomes.
Contact us today to discuss your treatment options and take the first step toward your recovery.
By the rule of thumb, MIS (minimally invasive surgery) is carried out for its safety, efficacy, and optimal health outcomes. VATS surgeries are advantageous because they reduce the risk of perioperative and postoperative complications. That though, does not mean that there are no complications at all ever. What changes is the way the procedure is done, but the operation inside the chest is the same. Each operation carries approximately 1-2% mortality risk, risk of air escaping from the lung from the part that has been cut out, bleeding which could also be severe and require also emergency conversion to open surgery, pain which might become chronic, scarring, injury to the intrathoracic organs, heart attack, stroke.
Keyhole lung surgery does not involve an open incision in the chest cavity, nor does it separate the ribs apart. The result is a reduced risk of bleeding during and after surgery. A small incision, around a couple of inches, allows faster recovery. So, to answer whether or not keyhole lung surgery is a high-risk one, it is actually safer and actively reduces potential risks to patients’ health.
Pneumothorax commonly presents spontaneously in several patients, especially young and tall males. The first treatment for this potentially life-threatening condition is the introduction of the chest tube to allow the escape of entrapped air.
Keyhole surgery for a collapsed lung is now commonly adopted. The main reason behind this is the reduction in pain and decreased physical limitation for the patient. Further, there is reduced analgesic requirement and shortened hospital stays after VATS-assisted management of collapsed lungs.
The duration of keyhole lung surgery, also known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), can vary depending on the individual case and the specific procedure being performed. However, on average, the removal of a lobe of the lung for cancer typically takes about 2 to 3 hours, sometime significantly less. Mostly depends on the size of the cancer and the ability of the surgeon. Our surgeons are pioneers in keyhole surgery and will ensure the best results in your situation.
The recovery time for keyhole lung surgery, also known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), can vary depending on individual factors and the specific procedure performed. Generally, the recovery period can range from a few weeks to a couple of months.
During the early days following the surgery, you may experience pain, discomfort, and some difficulty breathing. However, as time progresses, these issues should gradually improve. It is common for patients to be able to resume daily activities within a few weeks and return to work within 4-6 weeks, but this can vary.
In Mr Scarci’s practice, 2/3 of patients are discharged within 2 days and are able to resume activities in 2 weeks.
It is important to note that individual recovery times may differ, and it is essential to follow your doctor’s instructions, attend any follow-up appointments, and engage in any recommended rehabilitation or physical therapy to aid in a smooth recovery process.
Keyhole surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), is a surgical technique used to treat lung cancer. It involves making small incisions in the chest wall, typically around 1-2 cm in size, through which special instruments and a tiny video camera are inserted.
During the procedure, the surgeon guides the instruments and camera through the incisions, allowing them to visualize and access the inside of the chest cavity. The camera provides a magnified view of the lung and surrounding structures, helping the surgeon to perform the necessary surgical procedures.
Keyhole surgery for lung cancer offers several advantages compared to traditional open surgery. These advantages include:
It’s important to note that not all lung cancer cases can be treated with keyhole surgery. The suitability of this technique depends on various factors, including the location and stage of the tumor, as well as the patient’s overall health. A thorough evaluation by a qualified thoracic surgeon is necessary to determine if keyhole surgery is a viable option for a particular patient.
Keyhole lung surgery, also known as minimally invasive thoracic surgery or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), is typically less painful and requires a shorter recovery period compared to traditional open surgery. The procedure involves making small incisions and using small instruments and a camera to perform the surgery. The smaller incisions and reduced tissue trauma often result in less postoperative pain and discomfort.
Mr Scarci only uses one 3cm incision for all his operations; this significantly reduces pain. Moreover, he routinely uses cryoablation of intercostal nerves. This techniques provides pain relief for several months and patients are able to resume their activites much earlier.
However, individual experiences may vary, and pain tolerance differs from person to person. It is best to consult with your healthcare provider to discuss the specifics of your case and any potential pain management options.
The length of time someone stays in the hospital after keyhole lung surgery, also known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), can vary depending on individual circumstances. Generally, patients can expect to stay in the hospital for around 1 to 3 days after the surgery, assuming no complications arise. However, it’s important to note that each case is unique, and this estimate may vary based on the patient’s condition and the specific details of their surgery. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized information regarding your specific situation.
The third day after surgery is often considered the worst because it is typically when post-operative pain and discomfort are at their peak. Here are a few reasons that may contribute to this:
Remember, everyone’s experience with post-operative recovery can differ, and this answer is a generalization. It’s essential to follow your doctor’s instructions and inform them about any concerning symptoms you may experience during your recovery.
Yes, a lung lobe can be removed through a keyhole surgery technique called video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). VATS is a minimally invasive procedure that involves making a few small incisions in the chest and inserting a thin tube with a camera and surgical instruments. This allows the surgeon to visualize and remove the affected lung lobe without requiring a large incision or opening the chest cavity fully. It is commonly used for procedures such as lobectomy, where one or more lung lobes are removed. However, the suitability of VATS for a specific case depends on various factors, including the patient’s medical condition and the exact nature of the lung problem. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.
