ENDOSCOPIC APPLICATIONS IN THORACIC-SURGERY - VIDEO-ASSISTED THORACOSCOPIC SURGERY

Twenty-eight cases of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were perfor med in a 10-month period. Twenty-seven of the 28 cases were completed without a standard thoracotomy. In one of the 28 cases, inadequate vis ualization secondary to extensive adhesions necessitated conversion to thoracotomy. There were no complications secondary to the video-assis ted thoracotomy or video malfunction. Video-assisted thoracoscopic sur gery provides the thoracic surgeon with advantages not enjoyed with st andard thoracotomy and thoracoscopic techniques. These advantages incl ude: decreased patient pain and recovery time, increased latitude of m ovement for the surgeon, visualization by assistant and observers, adj ustable magnification for close examination of pathology and still pho to and video recording capabilities.