MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is commonly performed at CPMC. These videoendoscopic techniques apply to both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In selected patients, VATS has allowed us to shorten the recovery period as compared to standard open thoracic surgical procedures. VATS has been especially useful in the performance of lung, pleural and node biopsies, the removal of peripheral lung nodules, the treatment of effusions and recurrent pneumothorax and resection of small mediastinal tumors. As the technology of VATS continues to improve, even greater numbers of patient will benefit from these less invasive techniques. Using thoracoscopic instrumentation, Dr. Mark Ginsburg and his team resect a pulmonary nodule.