pulmonary disorders
Thoracoscopy and Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Indications for Thoracoscopy and VATS
Thoracoscopyis used for Evaluating exudative effusions and various pleural and lung lesions when less invasive testing is inconclusive Pleurodesis in patients with recurrent malignant effusions when chemical pleurodesis is not indicated or has been ineffective Breaking up loculations in patients with empyema The diagnostic accuracy for cancer and tuberculosis of the pleura is about 95% ( References ). Common indications for VATSinclude Bullectomy and lung volume reduction surgery in emphysema Correction of spontaneous primary pneumothorax Lobectomy and pneumonectomy (in some centers) Lung parenchymal biopsy Wedge resection Less common indications for VATSare Biopsy and staging of esophageal cancer Excision of benign mediastinal masses Repair of traumatic injuries to the lung, pleura, or diaphragm Sympathectomy for severe hyperhidrosis or causalgia 