An Ashtabula County resident is breathing a little easier after ACMC General Surgeon Evangelos Bibidakis, MD, performed video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to remove a tumor in the patient’s lung.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is performed using a small video camera, called an endoscope, which is inserted into a patient's chest via one of three small holes, or ‘ports’. The endoscope is a small fiber-optic instrument connected with a high-resolution camera at the end that allows the surgeon to view the lungs on a screen in the operating room. The surgeon inserts surgical instruments in the two other ports to perform the surgery.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can be used for many purposes, ranging from a biopsy to removal of tumors or entire lobes from the lung.
“There is a high level of training and expertise, as well as specialized instruments, needed to perform this type of surgery. We have all of that here at ACMC,” Dr. Bibidakis said.
There are several benefits to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
The small incisions cause less pain and are less likely to become infected.
Traditionally, surgeons performing thoracic procedures to diagnose or treat chest conditions gain access to the chest by cutting through sternum or between the ribs and using a rib spreader. Often, the procedure also requires division of one or more major muscles of the chest wall.VATS is done through three or four small holes with no impact on the ribs or muscles.
VATS also decreases the amount of time a patient must stay in the hospital from one week to one-to-three days.
This means a quicker return to a normal lifestyle.
VATS is performed for lung biopsies, staging of tumors or tumor removal, infections, fluid in or around the lungs, collapsed lungs, to create a pericardial (heart) window if fluid accumulates around the heart or for diagnostic purposes.
Ashtabula County Medical Center President and CEO Michael Habowski said bringing procedures like this to Ashtabula is one reason the hospital hires top-tier, expert physicians like Dr. Bibidakis.
“By providing this type of thoracic surgery here in Ashtabula County, we are giving our neighbors the opportunity to stay close to home for surgery and post-operative care,” he said.
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