The Role of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy in Scoliosis Treatment

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has gained in popularity in the treatment of scoliosis in the last years. It is a minimally invasive surgery that prevents blood loss and results in minimal damage to the thoracic wall, better cosmetic appearance and shorter hospitalization time compared to conventional thoracotomy. Technical difficulty, a steep learning curve, longer operation times and applicability in a limited patient group with a certain type of curve are the disadvantages of this procedure. The role, indication, surgical technique and clinical results of the procedure were reviewed. Despite the small number of reports on VATS, the results are promising. VATS seems to be as effective as conventional thoracotomy in performing discectomy and anterior release. However, accepting VATS as an alternative to posterior instrumented fusion in adolescent idiopathatic scoliosis has not been clarified and randomized clinical trials are still lacking. KeY woRdS: Minimal invasive surgery, Scoliosis,Thoracoscopy, Vats