[Intercostal video-mediastinoscopy: a report of 701 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize the experience of intercostal video-mediastinoscopy (VMS) in treatment for mediastinal masses, malignant pleural effusion and palmar hyperhidrosis.


METHODS
The clinical data of 701 patients received intercostal VMS from November 2001 to June 2007 were summarized retrospectively. Forty-eight patients with mediastinal masses and 46 patients with suspected malignant pleural effusion underwent intercostal VMS pleural biopsy (39 cases with talc pleurodesis) and 607 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis underwent bilateral intercostals VMS thoracic sympathectomy.


RESULTS
No mortality and morbidity were reported in this group. Definitive pathologic diagnosis had been made through VMS mediastinal masses biopsy in mediastinal masses and pleural biopsy in pleura effusion. The efficiency of talc pleurodesis was 100% for 39 cases. The symptoms of sweating of hands in 607 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis disappeared completely, all patients' hands became dry with a 1.5 degrees C to 3.0 degrees C increase of the skin temperature immediately after operation. No recurrence occurred during the follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
VMS is a simple, convenient and alternative procedure for the treatment of mediastinal masses, malignant pleural effusion and palmar hyperhidrosis.
Yang
Jie
J
Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China. yjie@fsyyy.com
Tan
Jia-ju
JJ
Wang
Jun
J
Ye
Guo-lin
GL
Gu
Wei-quan
WQ
Ye
Jun
J
Zhu
Le-wei
LW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008481:Mediastinoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D018700:Pleurodesis / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000379:methods; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome