The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 56, 731-733, Copyright © 1993 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Thoracoscopy in Europe: views from North America
DS Mulder
Department of Surgery, Montreal General Hospital/McGill University, Quebec, Canada.
A 4-month "minisabbatical" (June through September 1992) provided me with a
selected view of the current status of thoracoscopic surgery as it is being
performed in Europe. This experience comprised visits to three countries
and a total of five clinical units doing endoscopic surgery. Observations
are grouped into five categories: (1) the clinical spectrum of
thoracoscopic procedures, (2) operating room design, (3) the evolution of
instrumentation and imaging, (4) educational programs, and (5) strategies
for testing innovative technologies. This short visit convinced me of the
need for greater communication with our European colleagues.