Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
03:22
Local Anesthetic Thoracoscopy for Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion
Published on: November 10, 2023
100 years of thoracoscopy: historical notes
Gian Pietro Marchetti1, Valentina Pinelli, Gian Franco Tassi
1Divisione di Pneumologia, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italia. marchetti.giampietro@libero.it
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|April 9, 2011
Summary
Thoracoscopy, pioneered a century ago, evolved from treating tuberculosis with therapeutic pneumothorax to advanced diagnostic uses and minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for interventions.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic Surgery
- Pulmonology
- Medical History
Background:
- Thoracoscopy, initiated by Hans Christian Jacobaeus a century ago, has a rich historical trajectory.
- Early applications (1910-1955) focused on lysis of pleural adhesions for therapeutic pneumothorax in tuberculosis treatment.
Discussion:
- The evolution saw a shift towards diagnostic applications, significantly advanced by pulmonologists.
- Post-1990 marked the advent of exclusively surgical thoracoscopy, known as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
Key Insights:
- Thoracoscopy's history reveals a transition from therapeutic to diagnostic and surgical roles.
- VATS represents a significant advancement, enabling minimally invasive video-assisted interventions.
Outlook:
- Continued innovation in VATS is expected to further refine minimally invasive thoracic procedures.
- The historical progression highlights thoracoscopy's enduring impact on respiratory medicine and surgery.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Endoscopic Studies I: Bronchoscopy and Thoracoscopy
Endoscopy is a non-surgical medical technique used to examine a person's internal organs and vessels. This lesson will focus on two types of endoscopic studies: bronchoscopy and thoracoscopy.
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
Bronchoscopy
Description
Bronchoscopy is a procedure that involves direct visualization of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. A flexible fiber optic or rigid bronchoscope is used to carry out the procedure. The fiber-optic bronchoscope is more frequently used due to...
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
01:27Pneumothorax-II
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
01:30Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Airway management is essential in emergency and surgical medicine, ensuring ventilation and oxygenation in patients who cannot maintain their own airway. Clinicians use a range of techniques and devices to secure the airway, depending on the patient’s condition and the clinical context. Key methods include endotracheal intubation, rapid sequence intubation (RSI), supraglottic airway devices, and advanced visualization aids. In cases where these approaches fail, surgical airway interventions are...