Clinical Evaluation of Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery / 대한흉부외과학회지

ABSTRACT

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has recently evolved as an alternative to thoracotomy for several thoracic disorders. Today it is viewed as a sparing and safe alternative to thoracotomy for a wide spectrum of indication. Using video-assisted operative thoracoscopy, we operated on 33 patients during the 2 years of our experience from June 1993 to June 1995. They were diagnosed as recurrent pneumothorax in 16, visible bulla on X-ray in 6, prolonged air leakage (longer than 7days) in 4, bilataral pneumothorax in 3, hyperhidrosis in 2, previous contralateral pneumothorax in 1, primary hemopneumothorax 1. The average duration of chest tube placement was 2.1+/-0.4 days. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.4+/-0.6 days. The complication was persistent air leakage (longer than 48 hours) in 3 case. Video-assisted thoracic surgery is safe, decreased pain, and shortens hospital stay.