[Minimally invasive thoracic surgery]

Surgery of the intrathoracic organs may be performed without compromise of respiratory mechanics considering minimally invasive principles. An analysis of our experience of 373 thoracoscopic interventions reveals that the diverse procedures performed on the pleura (pleurectomy, pleurodesis), on the lung (wedge resection, fistula closure, ligature of parenchymatous leaks) and on other definec anatomical structures such as the sympathetic nerve or the thoracic duct, are effective in the therapy of intrathoracic disease. The most important pathological conditions which may be treated by thoracoscopy are listed. The range of complications (7%) and their causes are discussed. Current developments and innovations are summarized by a short review of the literature.