title: Video-assisted thoracic surgery for diseases within the mediastinum.
abstract: VATS and concepts of minimal access thoracic surgery have revitalized many aspects of general thoracic surgery, including the surgical approach to diseases and conditions of the mediastinum. Proven surgical options that have been shunned by patients and referring physicians because of the perceived morbidity of thoracotomy have been reconsidered with the emergence of these minimal access surgical options. Continued critical review of the accumulating experience in VATS techniques will refine the surgical indications for VATS and open thoracotomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hazelrigg
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Landreneau
mesh_terms: D001994:Bronchogenic Cyst / Q000601:surgery; D004322:Drainage; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000601:surgery; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000601:surgery; D013562:Sympathectomy; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods