Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), also known as thoracoscopy, is widely used for the diagnosis of pleural lesions as well as peripheral parenchymal infiltrates and nodules. VATS, which requires that the pt tolerate single-lung ventilation during the procedure, involves passing a rigid scope with a camera through a trocar and into the pleural space; instruments can be inserted and manipulated through separate intercostal incisions. VATS has largely replaced “open biopsy,” which requires a thoracotomy.