[Surgical thoracoscopy--indications and technique. Early results in spontaneous pneumothorax].

The use of minimally invasive techniques in the thoracic cavity allows for the application of operative techniques through endoscopic ways, avoiding the functional burdening of a thoracotomy. Indications of operative thoracoscopy are mentioned. Endoscopic surgical techniques are described. For example, the therapy of spontaneous pneumothorax can be carried out in its entirety by endoscopic leak ligature, wedge resection of the lung and parietal pleurectomy. Three of the 49 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax suffered from an early recurrence after thoracoscopic treatment (6.1%). Long-term results are still outstanding. The final merit of the method cannot yet be set.