1: History and Evolution of the Technique.- 2: Equipment.- 2.1 The Thoracoscope.- 2.1.1 Trocars.- 2.1.2 Telescopes.- 2.1.3 Forceps.- 2.2 Auxiliary Instruments and Accessories.- 2.3 Endoscopic Photography.- 2.4 The Endoscopy Room.- 2.5 Aseptic Conditions.- 3: Thoracoscopy Technique.- 3.1 Induced Pneumothorax.- 3.1.1 The Pleural Trocar.- 3.1.2 On the Endoscopy Table.- 3.1.3 The Day Before the Examination.- 3.2 Selecting the Point of Entry.- 3.2.1 The Standard Point of Entry.- 3.2.2 Point of Entry for Specific, Localized Lesions.- 3.3 Anesthesia.- 3.3.1 Premedication.- 3.3.2 Local Anesthesia.- 3.3.3 “Neuroleptanalgesics”.- 3.3.4 General Anesthesia.- 3.3.5 Conclusion.- 3.4 Position of the Patient.- 3.4.1 Lateral Decubitus.- 3.4.2 Dorsal Decubitus.- 3.4.3 Ventral Decubitus.- 3.5 Thoracoscopy Using a Single Point of Entry.- 3.5.1 Insertion of the 7-mm Trocar.- 3.5.2 The Thoracoscopy.- 3.6 Endoscopic Anatomy.- 3.6.1 The Pleura.- 3.6.2 The Lung.- 3.6.3 The Mediastinum and Great Vessels.- 3.7 Pleural Biopsy Technique.- 3.8 Number of Biopsies.- 3.9 The Second Point of Entry.- 3.10 Dividing Adhesions (Pneumonolysis).- 3.11 The Pulmonary Biopsy Technique.- 3.12 The Rest of the Examination.- 3.13 Positioning the Chest Tube for Pleural Drainage.- 3.14 The YAG Laser Option.- 3.14.1 Materials.- 3.14.2 Indications.- 3.15 Conclusion.- 4: Thoracoscopic Sequelae: Side Effects, Complications, Prevention.- 4.1 Morbidity.- 4.2 Practical Preventive Measures.- 4.2.1 Criteria for Patient Selection.- 4.2.2 Patient Monitoring During the Examination.- 4.2.3 Local Preventive Radiotherapy.- 4.3 Pleural Drainage Technique.- 4.3.1 Chest Tube Drainage of Short Duration.- 4.3.2 Chest Tube Drainage of Medium Duration.- 4.3.3 Long-Term Drainage (> 7 days).- 4.4 Temperature Curve After Thoracoscopy.- 5: Diagnostic Thoracoscopy for Pleural Effusions.- 5.1 Indications.- 5.2 Metastatic Pleural Malignancies.- 5.2.1 Topography of Pleural Malignancies.- 5.2.2 Histopathological Results.- 5.2.3 Cancer of the Lung.- 5.2.4 Breast Cancer and Other Hormone-Dependent Cancers.- 5.3 Diffuse Malignant Mesothelioma.- 5.3.1 Indications for Thoracoscopy.- 5.3.2 Macroscopic Examination.- 5.3.3 Histopathological Aspects of Mesothelioma.- 5.3.4 Prognostic Aspects of Mesothelioma.- 5.4 Tuberculous Pleural Effusions.- 5.5 Miscellaneous Causes of Chronic Pleurisy.- 6: Pleurodesis for Chronic Pleural Effusion.- 6.1 Which Types of Pleurisy Require Pleurodesis?.- 6.2 Is Drainage of the Effusion a Necessity?.- 6.3 Deloculation of the Pleural Fluid is Often Useful.- 6.4 Sclerosing Agents.- 6.5 Newer Agents for Pleurodesis, Including Bioadhesives.- 6.6 Conclusion.- 7: Thoracoscopy in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax.- 7.1 Indications for Thoracoscopy.- 7.2 Thoracoscopic Findings in Spontaneous Pneumothorax.- 7.3 Results of Induced Pleurodesis in Spontaneous Pneumothorax.- 7.4 Conclusion.- 8: Other Indications for Thoracoscopy.- 8.1 Pulmonary Biopsy.- 8.1.1 Indications.- 8.1.2 Contraindications.- 8.1.3 Associated Morbidity.- 8.1.4 Results.- 8.2 Empyema.- 8.3 Diverse Indications.- References.
