[Thoracoscopic partial pneumonectomy: morbidity and length of hospitalization]

Advances in endoscopic surgical instruments and video-technology enable the safe and fast resection of lung tissue through a thoracoscope. We report our technique and the early outcome of our first 36 patients. In a series of 46 thoracoscopic lung tissue resections, performed with a 3-cm Endo-GIA or with a 6-cm Linear-Cutter, we did not observe any complications. The chest tube was removed 3.7 days following tumor resection and after 2.8 days in case of simple biopsy. Patients could be discharged home 5.3 days following tumor resection and 4.2 days following biopsy. Complaints after a follow-up period of 3 months were almost neglectable.