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Thorascopic coronary surgery has achieved great progress in the past few years. After computer-directed instrument systems were introduced, which enabled high precision and expanded mobility in close quarters, the limitations of conventional endoscopic instruments were largely overcome. Employing modern surgical telemanipulators and endoscopic stabilizers, entirely endoscopic myocardial revascularization of the anterior wall is being successfully performed during off-pump surgery. Longer operating times and conversion rates in about one-fifth of the patients due to technical and anatomical limitations still restrict the use of these new surgical techniques compared to conventional surgery. Development of further technologies and integration of video-assisted navigation systems will broaden the application of computer-assisted instrument systems in the near future.

On 90 patients with 93 unstable fractures of the thoracic spine and the thoracolumbar junction we treated by a minimal invasive procedure between may 1996 and april 1998, in 46 patients an endoscopic splitting of the diaphragm was performed. The diaphragma was dissected at its attachment at the spine and the adjoining costal base. After partial corporectomy and discectomy, a tricortical bone graft has been inserted. An additional stabilization was done by using a plate and screw system. The incision of the diaphragm was closed by suturing or using an universal endostapler. Controlling the postoperative results a complete closure of the incision was documented by X-ray and CT-scan. There was no conversion to the open procedure or postoperative infection. Splitting the diaphragma opens also the thoracolumbar junction to a minimal invasive treatment and stabilization of fractures.

Technical advances in the field of endoscopical surgery have widened the spectrum of thoracoscopic operations in the therapy of lung emphysema. Especially in patients who are severely disabled as a result of their reduced lung function, a less surgical trauma should result in better postoperative performance. Bullectomy, which was an integral part of the spectrum in thoracic surgery for a long time, should be performed in a minimally invasive way today. In the American literature, disappointing results have been published concerning laser resection of emphysematous lung tissue. As a result, this method should be abandoned. In contrast, lung volume reduction surgery in patients with diffuse emphysema has caused significant improvement in lung function. The initial approach to this method was a median sternotomy. However, recent experiences in several centers have demonstrated the feasibility and efficiency of a thoracoscopic procedure.

For a variety of indications, thoracoscopic surgery has become established as a safe and effective alternative to open thoracotomy. Improvements in video technology and the development of instruments for thoracoscopic surgery now make it possible to perform lobectomies. In this paper the surgical technique of thoracoscopic lobectomy is described, and surgical and functional results are analysed. Since January 1993, in 38 of 47 patients who underwent endoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic lobectomy was possible. In 9 cases (19.1%) a change to open surgery was indicated for technical and oncological reasons. There were 24 males and 14 females between the ages of 7 and 82 years (average age of 58.5 years). The indications were benign pulmonary disease in 10 cases and non-small-cell lung cancer (stage I) in 28 cases. Four trocars were inserted; the pulmonary arteries and veins, the bronchi and the interlobar fissures were closed and divided with endoscopic staplers. There were neither intraoperative complications nor postoperative deaths. The rate of postoperative complications was very low. Patients benefited from the short hospital stay, limited postoperative pain, excellent early pulmonary function and fast recovery time. We conclude that for selected indications thoracoscopic lobectomies are safe and effective, but further studies are necessary to determine the true merits of the procedure.

The role of video-thoracoscopy (VT) as an invasive diagnostic procedure for mediastinal lesions not reachable by cervical mediastinoscopy (CM) has still to be defined, particularly with regard to parasternal mediastinotomy (PMT). Diagnostic efficiency and morbidity of the three methods were assessed and compared in a consecutive series over a 18 months-period after determination of a new diagnostic strategy. Among 77 interventions in 73 patients the following distribution of the methods referred was achieved: 42 CM (paratracheal and anterior subcarinal biopsies), 17 PMT (biopsies of anterior mediastinal lesions) and 18 VT (3 paratracheal, 3 posterior subcarinal, 3 anterior, 5 aortico-pulmonary window, 4 posterior biopsies or resections). All procedures were performed in general anesthesia for VT the double-lumen technique was used. Drains could be removed not later than the second postoperative day. In 7/17 cases of PMT the pleural space was opened and drained. Mean operation time (incl. waiting period for intraoperative frozen section and complete resection in a few cases) was 77 (45-100) min for VT, 49 (10-180) min for PMT and 41 (20-105) min for CM. Histological diagnosis of biopsy specimens were conclusive in all VT cases, in 15/17 PMT (88%) and in 37/42 CM (88%). Two major complications occurred: one recurrent nerve palsy following VT-resection of a neurinoma originating from the recurrent nerve itself; in a second patient submitted to mediastinoscopic biopsy, venous bleeding had to be managed by surgical sternotomy. CM as the most approved method for paratracheal and anterior subcarinal biopsies has not lost its importance. PMT as a simple and usually extrapleural intervention can further be advocated for anterior mediastinal lesions. VT turns out to be rather a complementary than a competitive invasive mediastinal diagnostic procedure and is regarded as method of choice for diagnostic approach to posterior, posterior subcarinal and aorticopulmonary lesions.

Since May 1990 we have treated 35 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax and without underlying lung disease by thoracoscopic operation. All patients entered a prospective trial. There have been four recurrences during a minimum follow-up of 7 months (median 19 months). Two complete collapses had had only fibrin glue sealant without any resection of bullae. The others were partial relapses not requiring any treatment. There was a striking high incidence of pain complaints and sensory disturbances (13 out of 29) even months after pleurodesis by coagulation or pleurectomy. Reduced trauma and less postoperative restriction of pulmonary function together with low recurrence rates suggest a more liberal indication in patients with their first manifestation of the disease. Nevertheless indication and choice of pleurodesis should be restrictive and be studied further for its specific complications.

With the further development of new surgical techniques, that allow for the performance of a variety of standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in a less invasive fashion, it is instructive to look at the complications of these new techniques, in order to define their role for general thoracic surgery. 372 patients have been treated by means of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) between 1/1992 and 12/1994. A total of 934 open thoracic procedures were performed in the same time frame, 399 out of them for the same chest disorders as treated by VATS alternatively. In 40 cases (10.7%) the endoscopic procedure had to be converted to an open thoracotomy. The main reasons for conversion were inability to locate or resect lesions due to a deep or central position (n = 13), requirement of further resection (n = 10), adhesions (n = 9), fibrinopurulent empyema (n = 5), bleeding (n = 2) and single-lung-ventilation failure (n = 1). The mean operation time was significantly shorter with VATS compared to open procedures, except for decortications. The mean hospital stay was 4.2 days in the endoscopic and 7.9 days in the thoracotomy group. Cost analysis for both techniques included expenses for disposable instruments, the operation room, anesthesia, and total hospital charges. Higher costs for instruments for VATS procedures were compensated by shorter chest drainage, less postoperative need for analgetics and a significantly shorter hospital stay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Generally, thoracoscopic resection of peripheral round lesions of the lung is a viable alternative to open surgery. However, due to the lack of tactile sensitivity intraparenchymal lesions often escape thoracoscopic detection and therefore this approach is limited to superficial lesions. The use of thoracoscopic endosonography may be valuable to localize intraparenchymal lesions which are not visible and enable subsequent thoracoscopic wedge resection.

Video-assisted thoracoscopy is an innovative technique which now allows the surgeon to approach various intrathoracic pathologic conditions without thoracotomy. In a 20-year-old male with pneumothorax urgent surgical intervention was necessary because of severe hemothorax following chest tube placement. The successful management of this patient by video-assisted thoracoscopy is presented.

The acceptance of operative therapy of spontaneous pneumothorax (SPT) has been tempered by the serious trauma of thoracotomy access. Development of videoequipment and miniaturized instruments allows now a thoracoscopic resection of bulla with minimal access. 25 patients with recurrent SPT (n = 15), primary resistant SPT (n = 5), and first SPT (n = 5) were treated from January 1991 thoracoscopically. Bullae resection was performed with an Roeder ligature or an Endo-GIA. Pleurodeses was induced by mechanical irritation or coagulation of the upper thoracic aperture with the argon beamer. Postoperative lung reinflation was rapid and without patchy collapse. The analgetic drug demand was dramatically reduced and patients were mobilised on the 1st postoperative day. Patients were discharged on the 4th postoperative day. Major complication were one hematothorax and one recurrence of SPT. The advantages of the thoracoscopic surgical treatment are rapid full expansion of the lung, decreased postoperative pain, short postoperative hospital stay and early return to normal activity.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is viewed as a sparing and safe alternative to thoracotomy for a wide spectrum of benign thoracic diseases. However the loss of palpation as well as the insufficiency of complete mediastinal lymphadenectomy are responsible for the uncertainty of the new method concerning curative oncological therapy. During the last two years we could replace thoracotomy by operative thoracoscopy in nearly all cases of recurrent pneumothorax and recurring pleural effusion. In a series of 447 endoscopic operations in 350 patients following distinct indications and strong prerequisites in terms of operating team and infrastructure of our department we could establish a high standard for this new operating method. The good postoperative results of this large series of thoracoscopic operations indicate the high rank of this new technique in thoracic surgery. Recurrence rates of 1.5% for pneumothorax surgery and 0 for pleurectomy for malignant pleural effusion can be compared to those in open thoracic surgery. Six weeks after the operation the postoperative lung function was normal in 80% of an initial group of patients.

The presently known methods of thoracoscopic surgery are a symbiosis of traditional thoracic surgery and of new endoscopic techniques. The traditional methods determine the proceeding on the organ, the innovative ones the measure to reach it. The challenge is to carry out traditional procedures on the lung by means of the new technique without loss of quality. The accomplishments of simple thoracoscopic operations on lung, pleura, and mediastinum are mostly determined. In cases of major thoracic surgical interventions new resection techniques, not yet proven on lung vessels and bronchi are increasingly undertaken. This means an innovation in two respects and is therefore difficult to evaluate. In our clinic thoracoscopic surgical techniques are orientated towards preserving the established methods on the organ via new accesses with recently developed endoscopic instruments. After having treated over 400 patients, we are now able to show that the presented thoracoscopic methods offer an advanced and safe way towards modern thoracic surgery. However, it is too early to present standardized surgical techniques of thoracoscopic surgery.

Report on four patients with achalasia of the oesophagus. Longitudinal myotomy was performed by thoracoscopy as minimally invasive procedure. The advantages of the transthoracic, thoracoscopic versus the transabdominal operation are discussed.

Some malignant and benign diseases of the esophagus are generally treated through a thoracotomic approach. While this may be justified in the curative treatment of cancer, thoracotomy may be avoided for benign diseases if good functional results can be obtained through a minimally invasive approach. Long-term results with careful clinical and manometric monitoring of patients operated on for epiphrenic diverticula have to be considered to define the possible role of thoracoscopic approach to this disease since a laparoscopic approach, which includes transhiatal diverticulectomy, myotomy, and fundoplication, seems to have excellent results. As for leiomyomas thoracoscopy represents the first choice approach since it allows a complete removal of the benign tumor with a limited access. In case of malignant diseases, thoracoscopic esophagectomy has in our opinion few indications. Extent of lymphnodal dissection appears to be the major limiting factor of the technique. Moreover, high-risk patients need anyway a double-lumen intubation and a prolonged single-lung ventilation. Modifications of respiratory function after thoracoscopy have to be compared with those occurring after thoracotomy and after transhiatal esophagectomy. Studies on lymphadenectomy and on respiratory physiopathology will help in define a possible role of this approach.

During the period March 3, 1992 to September 30, 1993 36 video-assisted thoracoscopic operations were performed at the Surgical Department of the University of Cologne. In 12 cases wedge resection of peripheral pulmonary nodules were carried out. Two of the patients underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy of the left lower lobe due to peripheral primary bronchogenic carcinoma. In 6 cases biopsy of the lung or pleura was undertaken. Further indications were partial pleurectomy and resection of blebs (n = 12). Pleural effusion was drained under thoracoscopic vision twice. No intraoperative complications occurred. Two patients proceeded to thoracotomy after persistence of pneumothorax following thoracoscopic pleurectomy. The postoperative course of the remaining patients was uneventful and was especially characterized by the reduction in pain and disability. In accordance to the experience of other authors we believe that thoracoscopic surgery is a method with a promising future. Further investigations have to evaluate indications, different techniques, and long term results.

Improvements in video endoscopic technique opens a wide spreaded field of indications of thoracoscopic surgery especially in benign tumors of the esophagus. A 58-years old patient presented with dysphagia. Preoperatively a benign, intramural tumor of the esophagus wall was diagnosed. Enucleation of the tumor was performed by right videothoracoscopy. The use of thoracoscopic operative technique implies rapid disappearance of complaints and a reduced time of hospitalisation.

134 operations were performed using video-thoracoscopic techniques for patients, with diffuse lung disease (48), pneumothorax (46), peripheral coin lesions (29) und others (11). In 92% of the patients video-thoracoscopic operation was completed. Open reoperation was indicated only in patients with persistent pneumothorax (3). After hospital discharge open reoperation was performed once for recurrent pneumothorax. From our experience we conclude, that thoracoscopic surgery may be routinely indicated in future for lung biopsies, pneumothorax, peripheral coin lesions and pleural products.

To evaluate the possibility of a pure thoracoscopic lobectomy by preparation and selective division of hilar structures we performed left cranial lobectomies in 5 Göttingen mini-pigs. The vessels and the main bronchus were isolated and divided by an Endo-GIA stapler. As an alternative technique we used clips or endoscopic ligation. Inside the thoracic cavity the resected lobes were divided into 2 or 3 parts by the Endo-GIA. They could be extracted without destroying the tissue therefore making macroscopic examination possible. The intraoperative blood loss was minimal and all the pigs survived the operation. Two pigs were sacrificed initially, the remaining three one month later. These three showed no evidence of pleural fistula or atelectasis in remaining lung tissue either macroscopically or histologically. It appears that thoracoscopic selective lobectomy is technically possible at least in pig studies. Further studies will show whether thoracoscopic lobectomy in patient with malignancy is as effective as open radical thoracotomy techniques and if endoscopic mediastinal division is possible.

The authors report a case of middle lobectomy by a thoracoscopic procedure. A forty-year old patient had carcinoma of the middle lobe (6 cm diameter). The use of staplers and ligatures by this way allows the control of the different vessels and bronchus. The indications of that technique must be evaluated in the future.

Thoracoscopic resection of peripheral lung tissue is possible by using special staplers (Endo-GIA). Main indications for using this technique are the treatment of a spontaneous pneumothorax by resection of bullous lung areas (15 patients) and the excision of macro biopsies for diagnostic reasons (13 patients). It is reported about the technique and the early outcome of these 28 thoracoscopically performed lung resections. This way minimally invasive procedure is combined with well-established surgical technique.

The use of minimally invasive techniques in the thoracic cavity allows for the application of operative techniques through endoscopic ways, avoiding the functional burdening of a thoracotomy. Indications of operative thoracoscopy are mentioned. Endoscopic surgical techniques are described. For example, the therapy of spontaneous pneumothorax can be carried out in its entirety by endoscopic leak ligature, wedge resection of the lung and parietal pleurectomy. Three of the 49 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax suffered from an early recurrence after thoracoscopic treatment (6.1%). Long-term results are still outstanding. The final merit of the method cannot yet be set.