title: One hundred consecutive patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic operations.
abstract: Video-assisted thoracic surgery is a new modality that allows visualization of and access to the intrathoracic organs without making a thoracotomy incision. One hundred consecutive patients underwent 113 thoracic procedures using this technique. Eight wedge resections for metastatic lesions, 6 pericardial windows, 1 bronchogenic cystectomy, 4 explorations of the aortopulmonary window, 1 decortication, 5 pleural scleroses, 8 bullous ablations, 25 lung biopsies, 19 wedge resections for carcinoma, 9 explorations of the thorax, 3 lobectomies, 1 esophageal cystectomy, 14 wedge resections for benign lesions, 4 pleurectomies, 1 excision of a neurogenic tumor, 3 mediastinal explorations, and 1 imaged axillary dissection were performed. There was no mortality. Ten patients had complications from which they recovered completely. Patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic operations seem to have reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and quicker recovery times. Currently, this new modality appears to have beneficial value for patients; however, only further experience will determine its true merits.
authors.affiliation: Section of General Thoracic Surgery, Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Caccavale
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Sisler
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013690:Television; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000379:methods; D013908:Thoracotomy