Advanced Treatment Techniques

Designed for procedures requiring exceptional precision deep within the chest, the da Vinci Xi system enables surgeons to operate from a console with a magnified, high-definition 3D view. Its robotic instruments replicate the surgeon’s hand movements with enhanced dexterity and tremor reduction, allowing for greater stability and control in complex procedures. This advanced platform supports a more minimally invasive approach, helping patients recover more quickly.

FV has been a pioneer in routinely applying VATS across all thoracic surgeries for over three years, from straightforward cases to complex lung cancer resections and tumour removals. Where most centres still rely on multiple port incisions, our team performs the majority of these procedures through a single 3 cm opening (Uniport VATS), which means fewer entry points, less postoperative pain, and significantly reduced chest wall numbness compared to multi-port approaches.

VATS is currently used in more than 95% of thoracic surgery cases at FV, one of the highest rates in Vietnam, and is covered by national social insurance, making it an accessible option for patients for whom robotic surgery is not yet reimbursable.

For straightforward cases, single-port VATS delivers excellent outcomes with minimal disruption. For procedures requiring greater precision in tighter spaces, our robotic-assisted platform takes over, where da Vinci’s articulating instruments eliminate the instrument-clash limitations of conventional single-port approaches entirely.

When air or blood builds up around the lung and affects breathing, prompt treatment is essential. Using keyhole (VATS) techniques, our surgeons clear the space through small incisions – avoiding the need for open chest surgery and helping you recover more comfortably.

FV has been a pioneer in applying Indocyanine Green (ICG) fluorescence imaging in lung surgery in recent years. Our thoracoscopic system delivers ultra-high-definition imaging, with resolution up to 8× higher than standard High Definition (HD). Combined with near-infrared (NIR) technology and ICG contrast, this system highlights vascularised tissue and critical structures in distinct colours, allowing surgeons to distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue in real time. This provides, real-time perfusion assessment, and fluorescence-guided navigation for structures that are otherwise difficult to see.

This enhanced anatomical visualisation allows surgeons to define tumour margins more clearly, enabling more complete resection while preserving as much healthy lung tissue as possible.

Removal of one complete lung lobe, most commonly for lung cancer. Performed via VATS as standard at FV, with significantly less pain, shorter stay, and faster recovery than open surgery.

For lung cancer, all lymph node stations around the affected lobe are systematically dissected, not just sampled. This provides accurate staging and reduces the risk of local recurrence, giving your oncology team the information needed to plan next steps.

Thin-walled air sacs on the lung surface that, when they rupture, cause a collapsed lung. Resected and stapled thoracoscopically, removing the source and significantly reducing the risk of recurrence.

When disease is confined to a small area, a cyst, bulla, or early nodule, only that section is removed. Healthy lung tissue is preserved. Performed entirely thoracoscopically.

Chronic infection or inflammation can thicken the pleural lining and restrict lung expansion. This procedure removes that restrictive layer, performed thoracoscopically to minimise recovery.

Infected fluid trapped between the lung and chest wall requires more than drainage alone. Thoracoscopic debridement clears the infection and restores the pleural space in a single procedure.

When cancer causes fluid to repeatedly accumulate around the lungs, pleurodesis permanently closes the space where it collects by bonding the chest wall lining to the outer lung surface through a small incision. This eliminates the cycle of recurrent drainage for most patients, allowing cancer treatment to continue uninterrupted.

Tumours in the central chest can affect the heart, airway, and major vessels. Smaller lesions are typically removed using minimally invasive thoracoscopic techniques, with robotic-assisted surgery available for cases requiring enhanced precision — helping avoid sternotomy in suitable patients.

Larger tumours located near critical structures require careful surgical planning. In selected cases, these can be managed using advanced thoracoscopic or robotic-assisted approaches by highly experienced surgeons, offering a less invasive alternative to open surgery.

Accurate lymph node assessment is essential before cancer treatment. This provides reliable staging information and can be performed thoracoscopically, with robotic-assisted techniques offering enhanced precision in selected cases, or via EBUS when appropriate.

Thymectomy is performed to remove the thymus gland when affected by tumour or enlargement, and can significantly improve symptoms in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Whenever appropriate, the procedure is carried out using minimally invasive thoracoscopic or robotic-assisted techniques, reducing surgical trauma and supporting faster recovery.

Thoracoscopic surgery is supported by advanced energy devices tailored to each patient’s anatomy, while robotic-assisted approaches utilise dedicated articulated instruments that enhance precision, control, and stability in complex or confined spaces

When an opening in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs into the chest, whether congenital or acquired, it places pressure on the lungs and heart. Repaired surgically to restore correct separation between cavities.

For traumatic tears or focal weaknesses not requiring full hernia repair. Closed directly through thoracoscopic access with small incisions and minimal recovery.

A tear in the oesophageal wall is a surgical emergency. Contamination spreads rapidly and outcomes depend on the speed of repair. Our team manages these high-urgency cases with immediate surgical closure and infection control.

Removal of the affected oesophagus and reconstruction of the digestive pathway, accessed entirely through keyhole incisions in both chest and abdomen. Compared to open surgery: less blood loss, shorter ICU stay, earlier return to eating and activity.

For mid and lower thoracic oesophageal cancers where chest-only access is sufficient. Direct thoracoscopic view of the oesophagus and surrounding lymph nodes.

A combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approach for mid-to-lower oesophageal cancers, with the reconstructed digestive join made inside the chest. One of the most technically demanding operations in thoracic surgery, performed at FV by our most senior team.

Non-cancerous oesophageal wall tumours (most commonly leiomyomas) removed thoracoscopically. Oesophageal lining and function preserved wherever possible.

A congenital fluid-filled structure that can cause compression and swallowing symptoms. Removed thoracoscopically, with approach (right or left) based on position.

A wall pouch that traps food and causes swallowing difficulty and regurgitation. Removed thoracoscopically to restore normal oesophageal function.

For selected benign thyroid nodules, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) offers a non-surgical treatment option.

Using real-time ultrasound guidance, a fine needle delivers controlled thermal energy to the nodule, causing it to shrink gradually over time. The procedure involves no surgical incision, minimal discomfort, and typically allows patients to return home the same day, with no visible scarring.

RFA is particularly suitable for patients with symptomatic benign nodules who wish to avoid surgery, where clinically appropriate.

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For patients requiring definitive treatment — including large nodules, compressive symptoms, or suspected malignancy — thyroid surgery remains the standard and most effective approach.

At FV, thyroid procedures are performed by highly experienced surgeons, with a strong focus on precision and safety. Strict operating theatre standards and infection control protocols support consistently low surgical site infection rates, helping reduce the risk of complications.

Particular attention is given to protecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which plays a key role in voice function — supporting the best possible outcomes for speech and recovery after surgery.

For patients with severe hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating of the hands or feet) or selected vascular conditions such as Buerger’s disease and Raynaud’s syndrome where blood flow to the extremities is restricted or blocked, sympathectomy offers lasting relief through a minimally invasive procedure. It works by making a precise interruption to the specific nerve pathway causing the problem, performed through tiny incisions under general anaesthesia and usually completed within an hour, with most patients returning home the same day.

Pectus excavatum (sunken chest) and pectus carinatum (protruding chest) can compress the heart and lungs, limit physical activity, and affect body confidence. Our surgeons correct both conditions through procedures tailored to the patient’s severity, age, and overall health, restoring natural chest shape, improving breathing, and increasing physical capacity.

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