Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is minimally invasive thoracic surgery that does not use a formal thoracotomy incision.

This is a technique of coronary artery bypass (CABG). It is performed from the side of the chest which is on the left side through an incision that is about 2 inches.

Open-heart surgery is any type of surgery where the chest is cut open and surgery is performed on the muscles, valves, or arteries of the heart.