This study aimed to analyze the clinical application value of computed tomography (CT)-guided hook-wire positioning before thoracoscopic surgery. Eighty-four patients who had received a thoracoscopic wedge resection of pulmonary nodules between January and December 2013 were selected. Group A consisted of 38 cases where the hook-wire positioning technique was not used, and the positioning appro...

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the feasibility of performing thoracoscopy without lung isolation employing single lumen endotracheal tube (SLET) intubation and carbon dioxide insufflation. METHODS Eighty-two patients underwent a variety of thoracoscopic procedures without lung isolation using SLET intubation and carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation between January and December 2012. Sixty-five ...

BACKGROUND Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting patients' quality of life and necessitating long-term medical therapy. The efficacy of thymectomy for treatment of MG has been well established. Although several techniques have been used for thymectomy, there has been controversy over the best method with highest rate of improvement. Herein, we discuss our seven years of clin...

BACKGROUND Surgical enucleation is the treatment of choice for esophageal submucosal tumors (SMTs) with symptomatic, larger, or ill-defined lesions. The enucleation of SMTs has traditionally been performed via thoracotomy. However, minimally invasive approaches have recently been introduced and successfully applied. In this study, we present our experiences with the thoracotomic and thoracoscop...

Objectives: To demonstrate the ef®cacy of using thoracoscopic endoloop ligation of bullae in patients with bullous emphysema. Methods: From 1992 to 1997, 93 advanced age (mean age, 66 years) and oxygen dependency patients underwent thoracoscopic procedure using endoloop ligation for treatment of bullous emphysema. Clinical data were collected from chart review. Thoracoscopic loop ligation of bu...

PURPOSE We investigated surgical results of staple line coverage with a polyglycolic acid sheet plus pleural abrasion by thoracoscopic surgery for treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax in young patients. METHODS Forty-seven patients younger than 40 years underwent 48 thoracoscopic surgical procedures for spontaneous pneumothorax at the Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, ...

BACKGROUND Chemical pleurodesis is the procedure of choice in the management of recurrent malignant pleural effusions (MPE). Talc is probably the most effective sclerosant, with a success rate of 80%. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of silver nitrate solution (SNS) pleurodesis after an unsuccessful thoracoscopic talc poudrage. METHODS Between 2011 and 2013 one hundre...

AIM Minimally invasive surgery is currently a goal for surgical intervention in the spine. The effectiveness of endoscopic thoracic spine surgery and technological improvements are two factors that are always under consideration in the practice of spinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS We present twenty-five patients whose thoracoscopic spinal surgeries were performed between 2002 and 2008 for ...

BACKGROUND With the easier and earlier recognition of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a reappraisal of its therapy, particularly the role and timing of sympathectomy, is warranted. PATIENTS AND METHODS Over a 9-year period, 42 patients with CRPS type II of the upper extremity were referred for sympathectomy. Patients were categorized according to the duration of the symptoms (group I, ...