Thoracoscopy - Window to the pleural space

Thoracoscopy has provided chest physicians and surgeons with an opportunity to rethink their approach to patients with pleural and pulmonary disease. In this brief review, several methods pertaining to videothoracoscopic proc edures are described, followed by a summary of the major indications for th is procedure. The question of whether a thoracoscopic approach to diagnosis or treatment could replace more conventional approaches is addressed for s everal disease processes. Finally, a few thoughts about future directions o f this emerging technology are shared.