ABC Medical Center > Procedures > Thoracoscopy

What is thoracoscopy?

27 April 2021

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It is an exploratory procedure used to evaluate the interior of the thoracic cavity. To do this, a small incision is made in the shoulder blade and a tube called a thoracoscope is inserted, which includes a camera that allows visualizing the state of the interior of the thorax.Often times, a thoracoscopy is performed when there is suspicion of diseases such as:

  • Infections and fluid in the lungs.
  • Tumors. 
  • Lung cancer.
  • Other lung problems.

Before the procedure:

  • Talk to your doctor about your expectations of the procedure.
  • Fast as suggested by your ABC doctor.
  • Keep an open communication with your doctor and tell him or her if you must pause any treatment, especially if you are using antiplatelets and/or anticoagulants.

After the procedure:

Depending on the complexity of the case, this procedure may require local anesthesia and be outpatient, or it may use general anesthesia and require hospitalization for a couple of days.

The incision area may be painful for a few days, and the use of anesthesia may cause discomfort and some minor side effects. 

Potential risks:

  • Pleural bleeding.
  • Infections such as pneumonia.
  • Pneumothorax.
  • Require other surgeries.

In our High Specialty Surgery Center, we perform more than 7,000 cutting-edge surgical procedures each year with state-of-the-art technology.

Our mission is to provide you with general and highly specialized medical-surgical services with the highest standards of quality and safety comparable with international centers of excellence through a multidisciplinary team that uses evidence-based clinical protocols that guarantee the best assistance and care of your health.

ABC Medical Center has always been known for practicing cutting-edge medicine. Our commitment to innovate keeps us as leaders in the practice of this discipline.

Your next surgery in expert and certified hands.

Related centers and departments

  • High Specialty Surgery Center
  • Radiology and Molecular Imaging
  • Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • medlineplus.gov
  • plasticsurgery.org
  • mediespana.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Fernández GA, López AY, Ojeda OMJ, et al. Hematoma intrapulmonar roto, hemotórax retenido y toracoscopia. A propósito de un caso. Rev Mex Cir Endoscop. 2012;13(4):203-204.
  • Gutiérrez& Camacho E, Cancino &;Marentes ME, Rodríguez&;Cruz C, et al. Utility of lung transthoracic biopsy with tru-cut and Chiba needle on the same patient, guided by CT for periferial lung tumor diagnosis. Neumol Cir Torax. 2019;78(2):116-121. doi:10.35366/NT192A.
  • Manhire A, Charig M, Clelland C, et al.; BTS. Guidelines for radiologically guided lung biopsy. Thorax 2003;58(11):920-936.
  • Topal U, Eliz B. Transthoracic needle biopsy: factors, effecting risk of pneumothorax. Eur J Radiol 2003;48(3):263-267.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.