Endoscopic applications in thoracic surgery: video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Twenty-eight cases of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were performed in a 10-month period. Twenty-seven of the 28 cases were completed without a standard thoracotomy. In one of the 28 cases, inadequate visualization secondary to extensive adhesions necessitated conversion to thoracotomy. There were no complications secondary to the video-assisted thoracotomy or video malfunction. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery provides the thoracic surgeon with advantages not enjoyed with standard thoracotomy and thoracoscopic techniques. These advantages include: decreased patient pain and recovery time, increased latitude of movement for the surgeon, visualization by assistant and observers, adjustable magnification for close examination of pathology and still photo and video recording capabilities.