It refers to any type of surgery performed on organs and tissues in the chest cavity in order to prevent diagnose and treat diseases of the chest. Thoracic surgery can be performed using open surgery or minimally invasive surgery including video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).


Endoscopic Thoracic Surgery

In the largest and most reputable Thoracic Surgery Centers abroad, at least 50 % of all cases are operated via Thoracoscopy. Especially for benign diseases is the method of choice and almost 100% of cases are operated thoracoscopically, but is not to be overlooked the fact that large number of scientific publications are dealing Thoracoscopically with malignancies

It is true that:

  • thoracoscopy surgery is of moderate severity.
  • any thoracotomy, even the simplest , is considered medically very serious surgery .
  • thoracoscopy has indisputable advantages over the open thoracotomy.

Diagnosis and Treatment of:

A. Pleural Diseases
1. Pleurisy
2. Tuberculosis
3. Mesothelioma

B. Parenchymal Diseases
1. Interstitial disease
2. Solitary nodule

C. Tumor Staging
1. Lung
2. Esophagus

D. Mediastinal Tumors
1. Lymphoma
2. Metastatic lymph node infiltration

E. Diseases of the Pericardium
1. Pericarditis
2. Biopsy
3. Cysts

Tests and Procedures:

A. Pleural Diseases
1. Pleurodesis
2. Peeling
3. Empyema
4. Chylothorax

B. Parenchymal Diseases
1. Pneumothorax
2. Persistent air leak
3. Benign cysts
4. Resection of metastases
5. Cancer T1N0 in H.R.P. *
6. Pulmonary solitary nodule

C. Diseases of Pericardium
1. Decortication in tamponade
2. Window in pericarditis
3. Pericardial cysts

D. Mediastinal Diseases
1. Thymectomy
2. Mediastinal Cysts
3. Mediastinal Tumors

E. Other Diseases
1. Sympathectomy
2. Trauma
3. Миотомия Хеллера

* H.R.P. = High Risk Patients (Пациенты группы высокого риска)


Thoracoscopy advantages:

  • Avoiding the medical complications that a large incision can cause and the relevant surgical trauma can cause (thoracotomy), (Suppuration, seroma , split or incomplete wound closure , wound infections, persistent pleural pain) .
  • Using high-tech disposable instruments avoidance the risks for communicable diseases (e.g. hepatitis, AIDS, Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, etc.).
  • New innovative techniques for quicker and more effective treatment, but also simpler and more comfortable for the patient. (easier medical decision , more direct intervention, more effective treatment and diagnosis of disease using intraoperative magnification X16, specially designed precision tools , monitors HD).
  • Minimize the need for transfusion of blood or its derivatives. (avoiding all the risks associated with transfusion).
  • Much shorter operation time which results in a faster, less painful recovery
  • Less “stress” to the patient and his relatives and faster restoration of cohesion of the family environment.
  • Very faster return to work and daily activities.