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VATS segmentectomy is surgery to remove an anatomical segment of the lung using a camera and instruments inserted through small chest incisions. VATS stands for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. The operation removes less lung tissue than a lobectomy, which removes an entire lobe.
read more about vats segmentectomy ...Surgeons may use segmentectomy for selected small lung cancers or other localized lung conditions. The location of the abnormal area and the amount of healthy lung available influence the choice. If cancer is suspected, the surgeon may also remove lymph nodes for examination.
The surgeon uses a camera to view the chest through small incisions. The blood vessels and airway serving the selected segment are divided, and that segment is removed. A chest tube is commonly placed to drain air and fluid after surgery.
The care team checks breathing, pain, and drainage from the chest tube. Walking and breathing exercises support recovery as the lung expands. The length of the hospital stay depends partly on whether an air leak or another complication develops.
Possible complications include bleeding, infection, and an air leak that delays chest tube removal. Pneumonia and blood clots can also occur after lung surgery. The surgeon may need to change the planned approach if the operation cannot be completed safely through small incisions.
No. Segmentectomy removes an anatomical lung segment with its associated airway and blood vessels. A wedge resection removes a smaller, nonanatomical portion of lung tissue.
No. A segmentectomy removes part of a lobe and leaves the remaining lung tissue in place.
A chest tube is commonly used to drain air and fluid after the procedure. The team removes it when drainage and any air leak allow.
Yes. The surgeon may switch to a larger incision if bleeding, scar tissue, or another issue makes it necessary.
Clinical outcome and risk factors for complications after pulmonary segmentectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: results of an initial experience. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6129883/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Comparison of postoperative complications between segmentectomy and lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery: a multicenter study. PubMed Central (PMC). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6836384/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Five-Year Experience with VATS Versus Thoracotomy Segmentectomy for Lung Tumor Resection. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32718194/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
Lung Segmentectomy: What Is It, Procedure & Recovery. City of Hope. https://www.cityofhope.org/conditions-cancer-types/lung-cancer/treatments-survival/lung-segmentectomy. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.
What is pulmonary segmentectomy? Baylor College of Medicine. https://blogs.bcm.edu/2024/05/15/what-is-pulmonary-segmentectomy/. Date Accessed September 30, 2026.