A new device for thoracic access: the Thoraco Holder.
BACKGROUND
We present a novel invention (Thoraco Holder; Fuji Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) for thoracoscopic surgery. Made of silicone, automatically stops bleeding from the chest wall, increases range of motion for manipulation, and decreases postoperative pain.


METHODS
Under general anesthesia using the Univent tube (Fuji Systems Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), two Thoraco Holders were used in each of 300 thoracoscopic procedures for lung cancer, mediastinal tumor, pneumothorax, chest trauma, and emphysema, most using the Two Windows Method).


RESULTS
No patient experienced more than 10 mL of bleeding from the chest wall. In addition, analgesics were not needed by any patient for over 1 week. No patient experienced trouble caused by the Thoraco Holder.


CONCLUSIONS
The Thoraco Holder is made of silicone. Silicone rubber causes less pain postoperatively. The silicone cuff (balloon) causes less bleeding from the chest wall. This Thoraco Holder is useful access for video assisted thoracoscopic surgery.
Iwasaki
M
M
First Department of Surgery, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Maitani
F
F
Nishiumi
N
N
Kaga
K
K
Inoue
H
H
D019723:Endoscopes; D006801:Humans; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013906:Thoracoscopy