title: [Thoracoscopy in management of spontaneous pneumothorax].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate possibilities of video-assisted thoracoscopy in surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 209 clinical cases of spontaneous pneumothorax, which underwent urgent thoracoscopy, is presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty eight patients underwent coagulation of small bullos, twenty six - parietal pleura electroscarification, 12 - mechanical pleurodesis. Four patients underwent thoracoscopic parietal pleurectomy and wedge resection. The postoperative drainage time for spontaneous pneumothorax was 3-4 days. Hospital stay - 7 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modern video-assisted thoracoscopy diagnostics and surgical treatment are inseparable parts of management of spontaneous pneumothorax. Video-assisted thoracoscopy is a safe, simple, less traumatic and effective diagnostic and treatment procedure of patients with spontaneous pneumothorax.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Thoracic Surgery, Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital, Eiveniu 2, 3007 Kaunas, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samiatina
authors.forename: Romaldas
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rubikas
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004322:Drainage; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery; D018700:Pleurodesis; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000150:complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013908:Thoracotomy; D013997:Time Factors