Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Thoracoscopy
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Thoracoscopy is a medical procedure involving internal inspection of the pleural cavity. It was developed by Hans Christian Jacobaeus, a Swedish internist in 1910 for the treatment of tuberculous intra-thoracic adhesions. He used a cystoscope to examine the thoracic cavity, developing his technique over the next twenty years.
Thoracoscopy may be performed either under general anaesthesia or under sedation with local anaesthetic.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a surgical operation involving thoracoscopy, performed by a thoracic surgeon using general anaesthesia.