Thoracoscopy is the use of a flexible endoscope (thoracoscope) to visually inspect the pleural space and lung surfaces. Physicians utilize this procedure to evaluate the lungs and pleura when less invasive tests do not produce definitive results .
Why thoracoscopy is done & what are its applications:
Thoracoscopy is performed for several diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Some of the primary reasons for performing a thoracoscopy include:
- Diagnosis of pleural diseases: To investigate the cause of pleural effusions, pleural thickening, malignancies, or pleural masses.
Different types of biopsies may be required for the diagnosis:
- Lung biopsy: For diagnosing lung diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis, or interstitial lung disease.
- Pleural biopsy: To investigate pleural effusions, pleural thickening, or masses.
- Mediastinal biopsy: For diagnosing conditions like lymphomas or other
- Lung disease evaluation: To diagnose and assess lung diseases like interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, or infections.
- Resection of lung nodules or masses: To remove small lung nodules, tumors, or other abnormalities - therapeutic surgical thoracoscopy.
- Mediastinal disorders: To diagnose and treat conditions affecting the mediastinum, such as masses or cysts.
- Staging of lung cancer: To stage lung cancer by evaluating and sampling mediastinal lymph nodes.
- Removal of foreign bodies: To extract foreign bodies from the pleural space or lung.
- Diaphragm procedures: Repair of diaphragmatic hernias or paralysis.
- Treatment of Pneumothorax: To repair a collapsed lung and prevent recurrence by performing procedures like pleurodesis.
Procedure of thoracoscopy:
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Doctor gives medicine or anaesthesia through an IV route to sedate or make the patient sleep through the procedure.
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Place the patient in a lateral decubitus position.
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Make small incisions in the chest wall
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Insert trocars into the incisions
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Insert the thoracoscope through a trocar to visualize the pleural cavity
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Perform the necessary diagnostic or therapeutic procedures
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Remove the instruments and close the incisions with suture or staples
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Monitor the patient postoperatively as they recover from anaesthesia
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Doctor wakes up the patient and lets him/ her breathe on their own.
Thoracoscopy is minimally invasive, allowing for faster recovery, less pain, and fewer complications compared to traditional open surgery.
