[Application of videothoracoscopy in surgical treatment of the anterior mediastinum diseases].

In 1994-2000 yrs there were observed 248 patients with various mediastinal diseases, including 105--with primary diagnosis: mediastinal tumor. In 102 (41.8%) patients operative intervention was performed using videothoracoscopy method, in 146--conventional methods: left-sided partial oblique sternotomy, longitudinal and longitudinal-transversal sternotomy, thoracotomy. Indications and contraindications for performance of operations on the anterior mediastinum organs, using videothoracoscopy, were determined for the first time.