[APPLICATION OF RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION WHILE PERFORMANCE OF VIDEOTHORACOSCOPIC OPERATIONS FOR PULMONARY AND PLEURAL TUMORS].

In the clinic radio—frequency ablation (RFA) in videothoracoscopic operations (VTHO) was performed in 56 patients. Primary peripheral pulmonary cancer (PC) was revealed in 7 patients, metastatic pulmonary affection — in 12, pleural affection with exudate — in 37. Small—cell PC was diagnosed in 11 patients, a squamous—cell one — in 18, and glandular — in 27.

[Treatment of acute purulent mediastinitis].

Results of treatment of 37 patients with advanced purulent mediastinitis are presented. The cause of mediastinitis in 27 patients was perforation of the esophagus, in 10--purulent diseases of head and neck. Lethal outcome was in 9 (24.

[Application of contact laser scalpel in thoracic surgery].

The authors have carried out 296 transthoracic and endoscopic YAG-laser operations in various diseases of bronchopulmonary system. Sapphire and quartz applicator-tips were used as a contact scalpel. The procedures of laser operations with the use of the contact mode are described in detail and comparative evaluation of both types of thermal applicator-tips is given.

[The use of surgical and therapeutic bronchoscopy in thoracic surgery].

The results of treatment of 260 patients who were subjected to 485 endoscopic operations with laser and electrosurgical methods are described. Excellent and good results were obtained in 199 patients (76.6%).

[The diagnostic and therapeutic potentials of thoracoscopy in thoracic surgery].

Within a decade, the authors performed 484 thoracoscopies in patients with spontaneous pneumothorax, open and closed thoracic trauma, pleuritis, pleural empyema. High diagnostic possibilities of the method permitted to choose a rational therapeutic tactics. In 228 cases, different endothoracic interventions under the guidance of a thoracoscope were performed.

[The use of laser radiation in the treatment of complicated chest trauma].

The results of treatment of 84 sufferers with a complicated thoracic trauma, using irradiation of the YAG-neodymium, argon, helium-neon and arsenide-gallium lasers, are presented. The techniques for the use of lasers for photocoagulation of defects of the lung and thoracic wall through a thoracoscope, endobronchial laser therapy and laser puncture is described. The expediency to use laser irradiation in the complex of treatment of a complicated thoracic trauma is shown.

[Emergency thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of complicated chest injury ].

Emergency thoracoscopy was undertaken in 111 patients with complicated closed chest trauma and in 67 persons with penetrating knife wounds of the chest. Thoracoscopy in patients with closed chest trauma revealed pneumohemothorax in 53, pneumothorax in 42, and hemothorax in 10 cases, in 4 patients the hemothorax was coagulated. Penetrating injuries were complicated by pneumohemothorax in 30, by pneumothorax in 21, and by hemothorax in 16 cases.

[Diagnosis and treatment of complex closed chest injuries].

The results of treatment of 256 patients with complicated closed chest injury are discussed. Multiple fractures of the ribs were found in 178, closed pneumothorax in 127, pneumohemothorax in 71, isolated hemothorax in 55, and rupture of the diaphragm in 3 patients. Most patients received nonoperative treatment, 5 patients (6.

[Use of endoscopic laser and electrosurgical interventions in thoracic surgery].

A total of 320 endoscopic yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and electrosurgical operations were carried out on 186 patients with tumors of the trachea and bronchi. Most operations were performed with the use of Friedel's respiratory bronchoscope and general anesthesia. Optimization of the methods of endoscopic laser and electrosurgical interventions made it possible to achieve a positive clinical result in the form of recanalization of the stenosis and arrest of bleeding in 143 (75.