Abstract
Thoracoscopic surgery was performed in four patients with benign tumors in the thoracic region : a Schwannoma, a lipoma of the chest wall spreading into the thoracic cavity, a localized mesothelioma of the pulmonary pleura, and a posterior mediastinal tumor (Dumbbell type) of Schwannoma. Thoracoscopy was performed under general anesthesia with a double lumen endotracheal tube. The thoracoscope was introduced into the pleural cavity, and one or two additional microthoracotomies were made as needed for the introduction of endoscopic instruments. The tumor was resected under thoracoscopic visualization and removed through a microthoracotomy incision. The Dumbbell type tumor, after being separated from the spinal root by laminectomy, was resected thoracoscopically. Since thoracoscopic surgery causes little “surgical trauma”, the patients recover much faster with less pain. There are also cosmetic advantages. Therefore, thoracoscopic surgery is a useful technique for certain benign tumors in the thoracic region.
