[Combined thoracoscopy in thoracoabdominal wounds using ultrasound, the CO2 laser and the plasma jet]

Under analysis is an experience with treatment of 178 patients with thoracoabdominal wounds. The authors have developed a rational curative methods and original thoracoscopic techniques, which allowed to considerably reduce the amount of thoracotomies. Thoracoscopy was performed in 157 (88%) of 178 patients. Indications for thoracotomy were established in 7 patients, in 19 patients only drainage of the pleural cavity was made. Curative thoracoscopy was used in 131 patients, in 60 of them ultrasonic glue hermetization of the lung wound was made, 36 patients had laser photocoagulation of the lung wound, 21 patients had plasma coagulation of pleuro-pulmonary defects, in 14 patients--coagulated hemothorax was removed. Clinical effectiveness of thoracoscopic techniques was more than 90%. Thoracotomy was performed in 28 (15%) patients, in 11 patients it was supplemented with diaphragmotomy. Laparotomy was performed in 167 patients. Lethality was 6.8%.