Pleural Interventions—Thoracoscopy

Thoracoscopy is a technique used to visualize the pleural space and undertake diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the presence of pleural disease. Thoracoscopy performed by physicians is usually undertaken using local anesthetic and sedation. It is commonly used to perform biopsies, mostly for the diagnosis of malignant pleural disease but can also be used for therapeutic procedures such as talc poudrage. The technique is performed by physicians in a number of centers, reducing the need for thoracic surgery, but there are some limitations to the technique where surgical intervention will still be required.