Abstract

Videothoracoscopic (Video-assisted thoracoscopic) surgery is a minimally invasive technique for performing procedures in the chest. All previously open procedures can be done in this manner. Its advantages include smaller incisions, less pain, faster rehabilitation, shorter hospitalisation, and long-term improved functional and aesthetic results. We aimed to review videothoracoscopic procedures, compare them with their open counterparts, review anaesthetic and technical requirements and report on our experience. VATS procedures for intrapleural infections are the most common, and they have completely supplanted open procedures. Further important VATS procedures include lung resections and biopsies for congenital anomalies, pneumothoraces, inter-stitial and malignant lung diseases. VATS biopsies or resections can be required for mediastinal cysts or tumours. Congenital diaphragmatic hernias and eventerations can also be oper-ated on videothoracoscopically. Oesophageal procedures are demanding and rare but can be performed thoracoscopically. Paediatric VATS procedures have been performed in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, UMC Ljubljana since 2009. Sixty procedures have been performed in patients aged from one day to 16 years. Eight patients were operated in their first year of life and 36 children under the age of six years. VATS has become the approach of choice for most procedures (pathologies). It offers obvious benefits to children and has been, therefore, well received. Further advances are expected with increased knowledge and experience and improved instrumentation.

Key words: VATS, videothoracoscopy, pediatric surgery, minimally invasive surgery