Surgical Thoracoscopy

After a practical description of the endoscopic anatomy, the

first part of the book deals with such topics as preparing

and positioning the patient, anaesthesia, operation theatre

layout and operating team, inducing pneumothorax, general

operative steps, after-care in the hospital, prevention of

thrombosis, prophylactic antibiotics, dangers and risks of

the method, and the use of documentation. General operative

steps such as thoracoscopic exploration and palpation

intervention haemostasis andparenchymal leaks are described

in a separate section.

A special part isdevoted to the diagnostic possibilities

and current indications for thoroscopy including:

spontaneous pneumothorax, haemothorax, chylothorax; pleural

empyema, bronchopleural fistula, extrathoracic and

intrapulmonary cysts and tumours, pericardial fenestration,

treatment of malignant effusions, and thoracal

sympathectomy.