[Surgical thoracoscopy; initial results in 13 patients].

In various diagnostic and therapeutic thoracic operations the use of thoracoscopy can replace the more radical thoracotomy. On account of the development of endoscopic video systems and specialised instrumentation, this technique is increasingly being used. Our first experiences with this new development in thoracic surgery are promising. In the period July 1991-June 1992 we performed 14 thoracoscopic operations in the Merwede Hospital in Dordrecht, for the surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (8x), for open lung biopsy (5x) and for resection of a peripheral benign tumour of the lung (Ix). No major complications occurred and patient recovery was surprisingly fast. Because of the decreased operation trauma, for several procedures already established via thoracotomy, the surgical thoracoscopy can be regarded as a great improvement in thoracic surgery.