What surgical approach into the thoracic cavity is used to access the lung for resection, biopsy, pleurodesis and requires the ability to tolerate single-lung ventilation?

What surgical approach into the thoracic cavity is used to access the lung for resection, biopsy, pleurodesis and requires the ability to tolerate single-lung ventilation?

• A. VATS (Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery)
• B. Thoracotomy
• C. Median sternotomy
• D. Thoracoplasty

Answer: (A)

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery uses small chest ports and a camera to access the lung for procedures like resection, biopsy, and pleurodesis. A defining feature is the requirement to tolerate single-lung ventilation, which deflates the operative lung to create a clear working space while the other lung maintains oxygenation. This selective ventilation is achieved with a double-lumen endotracheal tube or bronchial blocker, enabling the surgeons to work inside the chest through minimal incisions with good visualization. Compared with open approaches, VATS offers less trauma and quicker recovery, provided the patient can safely undergo single-lung ventilation. Other options represent open or different thoracic targets and don’t capture the same emphasis on leveraging a minimally invasive, single-lung-ventilation strategy for lung-directed procedures.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery uses small chest ports and a camera to access the lung for procedures like resection, biopsy, and pleurodesis. A defining feature is the requirement to tolerate single-lung ventilation, which deflates the operative lung to create a clear working space while the other lung maintains oxygenation. This selective ventilation is achieved with a double-lumen endotracheal tube or bronchial blocker, enabling the surgeons to work inside the chest through minimal incisions with good visualization. Compared with open approaches, VATS offers less trauma and quicker recovery, provided the patient can safely undergo single-lung ventilation. Other options represent open or different thoracic targets and don’t capture the same emphasis on leveraging a minimally invasive, single-lung-ventilation strategy for lung-directed procedures.