Thoracoscopy Treatment

What is Thoracoscopy?

Thoracoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses this technique to look inside the chest cavity of the patients. This is done with the help of a thoracoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a small video camera on the end and a light. The tube is entered in the body through a small incision made near the lower end of the shoulder blade between the ribs of the patients. Thoracoscopy is sometimes called VATS which is stands for video-assisted thoracic surgery. Thoracoscopy may be performed either under sedation with local anesthetic or under general anesthesia.

Free Consultation on WhatsApp

Purpose of the Thoracoscopy

• Thoracosopy helps to visually inspect pleura, the lungs, or mediastinum for evidence of abnormalities
• Thoracosopy helps in obtaining tissue biopsies or fluid samples from pleura, mediastinum, or the lungs in order to diagnose cancer, infections, and other diseases
• Thoracosopy is used therapeutically for removing the excess fluid in the pleural cysts or pleural cavity, or for removing a portion of diseased lung tissue (wedge resection).
• Thoracosopy is used for evaluating the patients with pulmonary disease or abnormalities of the sac that surround the patient’s heart (pericardium) or the lining of the patient’s chest (pleura)
• Thoracosopy can also be used for obtaining a tissue sample (biopsy) for further evaluation and for diagnosing, infection, fibrosis, cancer, and inflammation.
• Thoracosopy can be used as a minimally-invasive method for performing certain types of surgery, such as pericardiectomy,

Are there any alternatives options to a thoracoscopy?

A scan or an x-ray can provide some information. Sometimes a biopsy can be done by passing a needle through the chest of the patients.

Who Performs Thoracoscopy?

A chest surgeon or pulmonary specialist and a surgical team performs the thoracoscopy

Before the Thoracoscopy

The patients must tell their doctor if they regularly take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen), anticoagulants, or any other medicines. The patients may be instructed for discontinuing certain drugs before the test takes place. The patients must also mention any herbs or supplements that they intake. The patients must not drink or eat anything for 12 hours before the test takes place. Immediately before the test, an intravenous (IV) needle or catheter is being inserted into a vein into the patient’s arm, and the patients are placed under general anesthesia.

Also read :- Best Cancer Hospitals in India

Procedure during the Thoracoscopy

A thin tube is inserted through the patient’s mouth and into the patient’s lungs. The lung on the operative side is completely or partially deflated for creating the space between the chest wall and lungs and thus providing the surgeon with a clear view of the site. The surgeon makes several small cuts in the patient’s chest, and the surgeon inserts the drainage tubes for removing the blood during the surgery. The scope is being passed into the space between the chest wall and the lung; fiber optic cables transmit images of the site onto a TV screen in the operating room. The scope may be moved to different locations as per the requirement. Following the inspection of the pleura and lung, the surgeon or the doctor may insert surgical instruments through small cuts for removing fluids or tissue for diagnostic examination or as a therapeutic measure. The scope and other instruments are then removed, the lung which was collapsed is re-expanded, and all the cuts (incisions) but one are closed with the help of adhesive tape or stitches. A thin tube is placed in the remaining cut and left there for at least 2 days or so, for draining the fluid and air from the patient’s chest. This surgical procedure usually takes around 90 minutes or so.

Free Consultation on WhatsApp

What complications can occur due to Thoracosopy?

Few complications and risks are associated with a thoracoscopy, and the complication and risks are substantially less risky than a thoracotomy (Thoracotomy is much more invasive open chest operation and it is also used for diagnosing the mesothelioma)

Although a thoracoscopy is a much more safe procedure, there are some potential risks. Complications may include the following:

• Pain
• Shortness of breath
• Bleeding
• Infection in the pleural space
• Allergic reaction
• Surgical emphysema
• Pulmonary oedema
• Pneumothorax

How soon will the patients recover after the Thoracosopy?

The patients should be able to go home after the patients have recovered from the sedative. A member of the healthcare team will tell the patients what was found during the thoracoscopy and will discuss with the patients if any treatment or follow-up is required or not. The patients should be able to go back to their work after the five days of rest after the thoracoscopy has been performed.

The patients must contact the doctor immediately if they experience any of the following:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty in breathing or Increased shortness of breath
• Fever exceeding 100.5 F
• Increased redness, swelling, or drainage near cuts or chest tube
• Foul-smelling drainage from cuts
• A sucking or bubbling sound from a cut

Results of Thoracoscopy

Depending on the suspected problem, fluid and tissue specimens will be sent to different laboratories for further inspection. For example, biopsied tissue may be checked under a microscope for any signs of unusual cells, or may be cultured for any infectious organisms. If a malignant lung tumor is suspected, biopsy specimens may be examined during the surgery through the frozen section. If lung cancer is detected, additional surgical surgery will be performed immediately for removing some parts or the entire affected lung. If a definitive diagnosis can be made, certain treatment will be performed. If the doctor or the surgeon cannot make a diagnosis, additional tests, such as open lung biopsy or a bronchoscopy, may be further required. A thoracoscopy is generally a safe and effective way of finding out if they have a problem in the space between their ribcage and lungs.