Thoracoscopy: a useful diagnostic and therapeutic procedure.

This study was performed to review the place of thoracoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of intrathoracic disorders. A combined retrospective and prospective review was undertaken of the first 50 patients who underwent diagnostic or therapeutic thoracoscopy in Ballarat. Recurrent pleural effusions (29), pneumothoraces (7), or diffuse or localized lung disease (14) were the main indications. Thoracoscopy was performed in conjunction with pleural or lung biopsy, excision of cysts, or pleurodesis. Patient tolerance of the procedure was excellent with minimal postoperative pain. Operative morbidity rates were very low (< 4%). The low mortality rate was related to underlying disease processes. Hospital stay was short. The long-term results were excellent. Adequate tissue was obtained on biopsy in most cases, cure achieved for pneumothoraces, and permanent palliation after talc pleurodesis for malignant effusions approached 80%.