Efficacy and safety of thoracoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of intrathoracic disease: the University of Maryland experience.

Thoracoscopy has become an important tool in the diagnosis and management of intrathoracic disease. Between April 1991 and October 1992, 93 patients underwent thoracoscopy. Lung resection was performed on nineteen patients for diagnoses of interstitial lung disease and on seven patients for pulmonary nodules. Eleven patients underwent therapeutic lung resection for management of pneumothorax or air leaks. Sixteen patients underwent thoracoscopy for pleural disease. This was to diagnose mesothelioma (2), to lyse benign adhesions (2), to drain empyema (2), and to evacuate loculated pleural effusion (10) thoracoscopically. Nine patients underwent thoracoscopic staging for lung cancer. Thirteen patients underwent thoracoscopic staging for esophageal cancer as part of a prospective trial. Other indications for thoracoscopy included pericardiectomy (6), sympathectomy (2), and resection of mediastinal mass (4). Thoracoscopy is an excellent option for patients at high risk from standard thoracotomy and may allow procedures to be performed which would prevent the need for open thoracotomy, resulting in shorter hospital stay and less postoperative pain.