UAB surgeons performed the first video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy earlier this month at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Hospital. This procedure offers significant benefits for patients in terms of postoperative pain, recovery time and complications, such as pneumonia, compared to a thoracotomy. The use of minimally invasive techniques such as VATS and robotics continues to increase across the country.

Dr. Benjamin Wei“I am hopeful to offer the VATS lobectomy to more VA patients in the future,” said the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery’s Benjamin Wei, M.D.