Endoscopic Thoracic Surgery

In the largest and most reputable Thoracic Surgery Centers abroad, at least 50 % of all cases are operated via Thoracoscopy. Especially for benign diseases, it is the method of choice, and almost 100% of patients are operated on thoracoscopically. Still, it is not to be overlooked that a large number of scientific publications are dealing thoracoscopically with malignancies.

It is true that:

Thoracoscopy surgery is of moderate severity.

Any thoracotomy, even the simplest, is considered medically very serious surgery.

Thoracoscopy has indisputable advantages over open thoracotomy.

A. Pleural Diseases

1. Pleurisy

2. Tuberculosis

3. Mesothelioma

B. Parenchymal Diseases

1. Interstitial disease

2. Solitary nodule

C. Tumour Staging

1. Lung

2. Oesophagus

D. Mediastinal Tumours

1. Lymphoma

2. Metastatic lymph node infiltration

E. Diseases of the Pericardium

1. Pericarditis

2. Biopsy

3. Cysts

A. Pleural Diseases

1. Pleurodesis

2. Peeling

3. Empyema

4. Chylothorax

B. Parenchymal Diseases

1. Pneumothorax

2. Persistent air leak

3. Benign cysts

4. Resection of metastases

5. Cancer T1N0 in H.R.P. *

6. Pulmonary solitary nodule

C. Diseases of Pericardium

1. Decortication in tamponade

2. Window in pericarditis

3. Pericardial cysts

D. Mediastinal Diseases

1. Thymectomy

2. Mediastinal Cysts

3. Mediastinal Tumors

E. Other Diseases

1. Sympathectomy

2. Trauma

3. Миотомия Хеллера

* H.R.P. = High Risk Patients (Пациенты группы высокого риска)

Thoracoscopy advantages:

-Avoiding the medical complications that a large incision can cause and the relevant surgical trauma can cause (thoracotomy) (Suppuration, seroma, split or incomplete wound closure, wound infections, persistent pleural pain).

Using high-tech disposable instruments helps avoid the risks of communicable diseases (e.g., hepatitis, AIDS, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, etc.).

-New innovative techniques for quicker and more effective treatment, but also simpler and more comfortable for the patient. (easier medical decision, more direct intervention, more effective treatment and disease diagnosis using intraoperative magnification X16, specially designed precision tools, monitors HD).

-Minimise the need for transfusion of blood or its derivatives. (avoiding all the risks associated with transfusion).

-Much shorter operation time, which results in a faster, less painful recovery

-Less “stress” to the patient and his relatives, and faster restoration of cohesion of the family environment.

-Significantly faster return to work and daily activities.