The best replacement for vats is open thoracotomy.

The best alternatives to vats are rated as following:
★★★★★  open thoracotomy
★★★★★  thoracotomy
★★★  open lung biopsy
★★★  thoracoscopy
  pleurodesis

Your alternative for vats is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about vats, one probably shouldn't forget about decortication.

Other search terms related to vats and their ratings are:
★★★★★ decortication
★★★★★ pleurodesis
★★★★ wedge resection
★★ lobectomy
★★ thoracotomy
★ lung biopsy
You have in mind a companion for vats and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of vats in all years. Click on graph for more.
vats
open thoracotomy
thoracotomy