Retrospective analysis of the utility of video-assisted thoracicsurgery in 100 consecutive procedures

Abstract

One hundred consecutive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)procedures, diagnostic (n = 54) and therapeutic (n = 46), in 90 patientsover a 2-year period are reviewed. Hospital mortality was 2%. Conversion toformal thoracotomy was required in 3%, and re-exploration for bleeding in1%. Seven patients required intensive care unit facilities postoperatively.The technique described was safe and there was minimal postoperativemorbidity. Diagnostic VATS was of particular use in cases of indeterminatepulmonary masses (Sensitivity of 96%), anterior mediastinal masses and inimmunocompromised patients. Video- assisted thoracic surgery may now be thetreatment of choice for recurrent pneumothoraces and it demonstratedpotential for development in a variety of other benign thoracic disorders.This method had a limited role in the management of empyaema with a 60%conversion rate to formal thoracotomy. Pulmonary resections were feasiblebut its role in the treatment of malignancy is questioned.