Pediatric thoracoscopy: Where have we come and what have we learned?

摘要: The procedure of thoracoscopy was employed in adult patients for more than half a century before the first report evaluating its use children published 1976. Initially proposed as technique obtaining pulmonary biopsy specimens immunocompromised when interstitial pneumonia developed, but, experience with gained, new indications have arisen. A review reports on has brought to light areas which been particularly useful well several limitations procedure. In properly selected patients, is an extremely accurate method tissue diagnosis diffuse and localized infiltrates. This may be choice mediastinal lesions surgical treatment empyema pneumothorax. Most morbidity mortality reported pneumonias. Such who are high-pressure ventilator support, best managed by standard open lung biopsy. Maintenance sufficient pneumothorax proved difficult very small infants children, not applicable weigh under 8 kg. Refinements instrumentation will allow performance complicated dissections pediatric surgeons acquire familiarity this technique.