A survey of 150 video-assisted thoracoscopic procedures in Kuwait

To review our experience of indications, technique, and complications as they relate to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the diagnosis and management of intrathoracic diseases.

One hundred and fifty consecutive VATS procedures, which were performed over a 3-year period, were retrospectively evaluated. Indications included recurrent or persistent primary spontaneous pneumothorax (n = 73 patients), lung biopsies for diagnosis of diffuse lung disease (n = 33), pleural biopsies (n = 18), wedge resections of pulmonary nodules (n = 8), bilateral thoracic sympathectomy (n = 6), decortication (n = 5), mediastinal tumor biopsies (n = 5), excision of bullous emphysema (n = 1), and removal of a foreign body from the pleural cavity (n = 1). An alternative method of manipulating thoracoscopic instruments without using a trocar is described.

Of the 150 VATS procedures, 127 (85%) were successfully performed, 6 (4%) were converted to thoracotomy and 17 (11%) had complications. The most common complication was prolonged air leak, which occurred in 9 patients. The average postoperative hospital stay was 4 days (range: 2-17). Diagnostic procedures were considered successful in 32 out of 33 lung biopsies and in all 18 patients with pleural diseases, 8 lung nodules, or 5 mediastinal tumor biopsies. The other 86 therapeutic VATS procedures were effective in 82 (95%) patients. Four (5%) patients had a recurrence of the pneumothorax after VATS.

Thoracoscopy and the use of a nontrocar technique is a safe and effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of intrathoracic diseases.