title: Thoracoscopic surgery.
abstract: Video-assisted thorascopic surgery has evolved rapidly and has demonstrated utility in the diagnosis and management of a variety of chest disorders. An historical perspective, considerations on patient selection, anesthetic and operative management, and a summary of the Ochsner Clinic institutional experience with this procedure are presented. Special emphasis is given to the treatment of disorders of the autonomic nervous system, esophageal achalasia, and a rare symptomatic congenital pericardial defect. Video-assisted thorascopy provides a promising alternative to many of the more invasive open thoracic surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: McFadden
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Robbins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D018579:Patient Selection; D010496:Pericardium / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D020708:Thoracoscopes; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D014743:Videotape Recording