Video thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracic surgery. An analysis of 303 consecutive cases
Callejas Pérez, M.A.; Baldó Padró, X.; Canalís Arrayás, E.; Belda Sanchis, J.; Catalán Biel, M.; Gimferrer Garolera, J.M.
Anales de Medicina Interna 16(7): 349-353
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-7199 PMID: 10481334 Document Number: 504267
To present our experience in video thoracoscopy and video-assisted thoracic surgery from November of 1991 until November of 1997. 303 endoscopic thoracic surgery procedures (210 males and 93 females with a mean age of 42.2 years) with the following indications: 151 spontaneous pneumothorax, 51 pulmonary biopsies, 50 pulmonary nodules, 15 mediastinal tumors, 13 pleuroparietal tumors, 8 pericardial windows and 15 thoracic sympathectomies. Mean postoperative stay was of 5.5 days. The thoracotomy conversion was necessary in 32 cases (10.9%). The morbimortality has been: one parietal recidive of a tumor in the way of one of the trocars and one death of a patient to who was accomplished a pulmonary biopsy by diffuse pneumopathy. The video thoracoscopy and thoracic surgery are effective and sure technical options for diagnosis and treatment of various thoracic affections.