Abstract | BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been recently utilised in the diagnosis and management of thoracic diseases. In this article we report our series of patients with established indications for VATS treatment. METHODS: RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Postoperative non-fatal complications were seen in 7 cases. The overall median duration of chest tube drainage was 2.5 days and the mean postoperative stay 3 days. In diffuse lung disease a tissue diagnosis was obtained in all cases. Definitive diagnosis in the patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion was obtained in 90% of cases and the overall diagnostic rate was 98.5%. The success rate of the empyema (stage II) treatment and the therapeutic procedures is 100% after a mean follow-up of 12 months (range 6-30). Conversion to thoracotomy was needed in 6 cases. In all patients the postoperative pain was controlled with intake of non-narcotic analgesics with satisfactory results. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | I Petrakis, A Katsamouris, I Drossitis, D Bouros, G Chalkiadakis |
Journal | The Journal of cardiovascular surgery
(J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino))
Vol. 41
Issue 5
Pg. 767-71
(Oct 2000)
ISSN: 0021-9509 [Print] Italy |
PMID | 11149646
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Empyema, Pleural
(diagnosis, surgery)
- Female
- Humans
- Lung Diseases
(diagnosis, surgery)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pleural Effusion
(diagnosis, surgery)
- Pneumothorax
(diagnosis, surgery)
- Respiratory Tract Diseases
(diagnosis, surgery)
- Retrospective Studies
- Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
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