[Videothoracoscopy in staging of lung cancer]

We present a review of 108 cases of lung cancer in patients who, for a variety of reasons outlined in this report, underwent video assisted thoracoscopy prior to staging. Overall results of the procedure were positive in 94%. We report the usefulness of this tool for identifying adenopathic locations, for effecting biopsies of tumors that could not be typed by other means, for resecting peripheral nodules for screening purposes, and for making etiological diagnoses of accompanying pleural effusions. For diagnostic purposes, this procedure provides a better image than does conventional thoracoscopy, involves the participation of an endoscopy team and even calls for the presence of a pathologist. We consider video assisted thoracoscopy to be a highly effective tool for avoiding so-called pointless thoracotomies and for completing alternative treatments. Its cost effectiveness is indisputable, as are its low rates of morbidity and mortality.