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Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for spontaneous pneumothorax has been well described. However, there are few reports on the use of this technique on giant bullae. We report a 49 year old man with a symptomatic giant bulla who underwent a successful thoracoscopic staple resection. His chest drains were removed on the second postoperative day and he was discharged on the third postoperative day with virtually no discomfort. We conclude that thoracoscopic staple resection of a giant bulla is feasible technically and is an attractive alternative to the conventional open technique.

Teratoma is a rare tumour in children accounting for about 3% of all childhood malignancy. A case of immature mediastinal teratoma in a young Chinese girl is reported.

We studied the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) surgery in the management of metastatic osteosarcoma. From September 1993 to March 1994, we performed a total of 11 VAT wedge resections of pulmonary metastatic osteosarcoma in seven patients (six males, one female, age 12 to 46 years). Three patients had bilateral procedures performed either under the same anaesthesia or in stages. One patient had two operations on the same side. The average number of nodules excised was three. Two patients subsequently required formal lobectomies when the metastatic tumours were either too big or too close to the hilum for safe wedge resections. There was one death on postoperative day 3 due to dysrhythmia. One patient died 5 months later from a progression of his underlying disease. Two patients remained disease free up to 8 and 12 months, respectively, from their first operations. The average postoperative chest drain duration was 1.4 +/- 0.7 days and hospital stay 2.3 +/- 1.1 days. The procedure was well tolerated and postoperative morbidity was minimal. We conclude that although VAT wedge resection of pulmonary metastatic osteosarcoma is feasible technically and is associated with a short hospital stay and minimal morbidity, this approach cannot be recommended when complete resection of all metastases is the goal as the technique relies heavily on computed tomographic scans to detect nodules. Recurrence of metastasis from 4 to 6 months in three of seven patients argues against VAT surgery being an adequate procedure. The high cost of the staplers, in addition, is a secondary consideration.

We describe a 'homemade' knot pusher modified from a conventional right angle dissector for extracorporeal ties. The knot pusher has the advantage of allowing the operator to control the tension applied to the structure to be ligated. The instrument can be made with simple tools and its use can be easily learnt. We have used this device in 10 video assisted thoracoscopic lobectomies (over 100 applications on pulmonary vascular structures) without complications. This device can also be used in 'open' surgery when knot tying is needed through a deep wound.

Advances in video-assisted thoracoscopic (VAT) surgery allow it to assume an increasingly important therapeutic role. Two successful VAT lobectomies (left upper lobe and right lower lobe) were performed in patients with stage I adenocarcinoma. An 8 cm access minithoracotomy for hilar dissection and subsequent specimen delivery was used. Routine mediastinal node sampling was performed thoracoscopically as would be done conventionally. Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy of the right upper lobe was attempted in another patient but he required emergency conversion to open thoracotomy because of bleeding from mechanical failure of the vascular staple-cutter. Although VAT lobectomy is feasible technically, attention to detail is important when mechanical devices are used to minimize the chance of malfunctioning. Once disaster occurs the surgeon should be capable of dealing with the consequences.

Pleural effusion is a commonly encountered clinical condition. We report our experience with video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the management of pleural effusions in three groups of patients: (1) Patients with cryptogenic pleural effusions for diagnosis; (2) patients with established malignant effusions for talc insufflation and limited decortication; and (3) patients with early empyema for debridement and drainage. From September 1992 to March 1994, we have successfully managed 28 patients with pleural effusions (12 males, 16 females; age ranged from 22 days to 73 years). Management consisted of 16 diagnostic thoracoscopies with guided pleural biopsies, seven limited decortications for trapped lungs, 12 talc insufflation for recurrent symptomatic malignant effusions and debridement and drainage of five empyemata. There was no mortality or intra-operative complications. The procedure was tolerated well by all patients. The mean duration of chest drainage and hospital stay were 1.2 and 2.8 days for group 1 patients, 4.5 and 6.4 days for group 2, and 5.6 and 7.1 days for group 3. Specific histological diagnosis was obtained in all but two patients (88%). Thoracoscopic talc insufflation was successful in 92% of cases at mean follow up of 8 months. Thoracoscopic debridement and drainage of empyema resulted in rapid resolution of sepsis in all cases. Advances in video camera technology and instrumentation have allowed more therapeutic manoeuvres to be carried out. We conclude that VATS is a safe and effective way of managing selected patients with pleural effusions.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been suggested as the most appropriate choice for spontaneous pneumothorax. Thirty-two patients (30 males, two females, age range from 16 to 42) with primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) are reported. All had mechanical pleurodesis with Marlex mesh. Blebs or bullae could be identified in 24 patients (75%). All bullae over 2 cm were either excised (11 patients) or ligated (five patients). The median operating time was 45 min. There was minimal postoperative discomfort and the median postoperative hospital stay was 4 days. There was one minor wound infection and one recurrence (mean follow up of 11 months). It is concluded that VATS is a quick, safe and effective approach for the treatment of PSP. Long-term results will better define its true merit in thoracic surgery.

Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) offers a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment of many thoracic conditions. From September 1992 to August 1993, a total of 163 VAT procedures were successfully performed on 108 patients (87 male, 21 female; age range from 12 to 77) which consisted of 42 bleb eliminations and 64 mechanical pleurodesis for spontaneous pneumothorax, 11 wedge resections for pulmonary nodules, three wedge biopsies for diffuse pulmonary infiltrate, four thoracic sympathectomies, resections of two mediastinal masses, three pericardial windows, 10 guided pleural biopsies for undiagnosed effusions, six guided drainage of empyema and haemothorax, 16 staging of intrathoracic tumours and two explorations for penetrating thoracic trauma. There was no procedure-related mortality. Complications included one recurrence for spontaneous pneumothorax, one re-exploration for bleeding (also by VAT approach), one wound infection, and six persistent air leaks for more than 10 days. The median duration of postoperative chest tube drainage was 2 days and the median hospital stay was 4 days. It was concluded that VAT is a safe and effective approach in thoracic surgery and with further refinement in instrumentation even more procedures will be technically feasible. The long-term results of VAT are being awaited in order to define its true merits in thoracic surgery.