[Videothoracoscopy in diagnosing and treating exudative pleuritis]

Telethoracoscopy (TT) was performed in 76 patients with exudative pleurisy of unclear etiology. A correct diagnosis was made in all (100%) cases. Tuberculosis was detected in 41 (54%) patients. In this group of patients, the results were analyzed by taking into account the duration of disease, the nature of an operation, and morphological findings. In tuberculous pleurisy, TT may be conducted at any time; however, it is most effective when an acute period subsides and an exudate begins forming. At this time (2-3 months after the onset of the disease), surgery is not diagnostic, but also remedial as sanitation of the pleural cavity with partial pleurectomy.