Imaged thoracoscopic lung biopsy.

Imaged thoracoscopic surgery is a technique utilized to operate on the intrathoracic organs without making a formal thoracotomy incision. Eleven patients underwent lung biopsy with this procedure and each had markedly reduced postoperative pain. Each patient resumed preoperative activity levels within one week of discharge from the hospital. Besides thoracotomy and thoracoscopy, imaged thoracoscopic surgery provides another option for approaching the intrathoracic organs.