|
|
||||||||
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 56, 620-623, Copyright © 1993 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
MS Allen, VF Trastek, RC Daly, C Deschamps and PC Pairolero
The combining of miniaturized video technology with thoracoscopy now allows
surgeons to perform a variety of thoracic procedures percutaneously. Both
rigid and flexible video thoracoscopes are available. The rigid endoscope
has a camera located proximally at the eye-piece and is capable of
excellent resolution. However, visualization of the entire pleural cavity
is difficult because of the rigid chest wall. Placing the video camera at
the distal end of a flexible thoracoscope, as in the electronic video
thoracoscope (EVE-L; Fujinon, Wayne, NJ), yields better visualization of
these relatively inaccessible areas. However, disadvantages of the flexible
thoracoscope include increased expense and complexity, reduced resolution
as compared to rigid systems, and the need for a strobed light source, thus
making video-assisted surgery more difficult. Thoracoscopic wedge excisions
of the lung are now possible because of the adaptation of gastrointestinal
staplers for percutaneous use. The initial design consisted of a reloadable
30-mm disposable stapler. Newer models, however, have a longer staple line
and some are reusable. Future refinements may allow the head of the
instrument to articulate, thus permitting it to be applied to the lung at
various angles. Thoracoscopic ports that provide an air-tight seal are
available but are not essential; therefore, standard thoracotomy
instruments can be utilized through small open incisions. Specialized
disposable thoracoscopic instruments are also available, including
scissors, dissectors, and fan retractors. It is hoped that the future will
bring improved optics, better staplers, and refined percutaneous
instrumentation.
ARTICLES
Equipment for thoracoscopy
Section of General Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
D. E. Maziak and M. F. McKneally Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 1995; 59(3): 780 - 781. [Full Text] |
||||
![]() |
M. Kadokura, T. V. Colby, J. L. Myers, M. S. Allen, C. Deschamps, V. F. Trastek, and P. C. Pairolero Pathologic comparison of video-assisted thoracic surgical lung biopsy with traditional open lung biopsy J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., March 1, 1995; 109(3): 494 - 498. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| ANN THORAC SURG | ASIAN CARDIOVASC THORAC ANN | EUR J CARDIOTHORAC SURG |
| J THORAC CARDIOVASC SURG | ICVTS | ALL CTSNet JOURNALS |