VATS treatment of mediastinal cyst, spontaneous pneumothorax and pleural tumour

From October 1995 to February 1997 26 VATS (video-assisted thoracic surgery) procedures were undertaken. Our indications for VATS were spontaneous pneumothorax (SP), pleuropericardial cysts and pleural tumour. We treated 23 patients with SP, 18 patients with recurrent SP and 5 patients with persistent primary SP. Method of treatment in patients with SP were endoloop, endostapler and pleural abrasion. In SP group of patients in follow-up period of 1-16 months there were no recurrence. Two pleuropericardial cysts and one pleural tumour were extirpated in toro. There were no anaesthesia-related or intraoperative complications and no deaths in either group of patients. In conclusion, our early results with VATS method are good. Further experience is needed to evaluate proper indications for VATS.