Video-assisted thoracic surgery is a new modality that allows visualization of and access to the intrathoracic organs without making a thoracotomy incision. 52 patients underwent thoracic procedures using this technique. There were pneumothorax
in
40
patients, diffuse interstital lung disease in 6 patients, hyperhidrosis in 3 patients, pulmonary tuberculoma in l patient, aspergilloma in l patient , aspergilloma in l patient and localized fibrous tumor of pleura in l patient. We had performed
a
variety of procedures(36 wedge resections with mechanical pleurodesis, 8 wedge resections only, 4 mechanical pleurodeses, 3 bilateral sympathectomys and l segmentectomy). The period of chest tube indwelling and postoperative hospitalization were
2.00±1.32 days(range;0~6 days) and 3.55±1.45 days(range;1~8 days). Four postoperative complications occurred(2 pleural effusion, l recurrent pneumothorax and l high fever). Conversion to open thoracotomy was done in l patient due to massive air
leakage.
Patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery seem to have reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and quicker recovery times.
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