THORACOSCOPY - PRESENT ROLE IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF THE CHEST

Recent advances in video technology and endoscopic instrumentation have expanded the use of thoracoscopy form a diagnostical to a therapeutical tool in treatment of diseases of the chest. Nowadays, in surgery for pneumothorax and recurrent pleural effusions the method is well established and fenestration of the pericardium or resection of pericardial cysts by the thoracoscopical access are feasible. Biopsy of the lung in case of diffuse parencymal diseases and resection of peripheral lung metastasis is also practicable by the means of thoracoscopy. In diagnosis and therapy of mediastinal growth, especially when medastinoscopy failed or is not applicable, the thoracoscopic access may avoid a thoracotomy. Futher applications of the technique (e.g. lobectomy, closure of a patent ductus botalli in premature infants, treatment of aortic coarctation) are under investigation.