[Use of video-thoracoscopy for diagnostic and small surgical procedures in the chest]

The report introduces videothoracoscopy as a new diagnostic and therapeutical method in chest surgery. The main indications for thoracoscopic procedures were described. Also, 37 videothoracoscopic procedures performed on 35 patients were presented. In 5 cases procedure was therapeutical, in the rest of them diagnostic. In all diagnostic cases, thoracoscopic procedures allowed to determine accurate diagnosis. No significant complications were observed.