Thoracoscopy is a procedure that can be performed by a surgeon to look in your chest. This can be performed to take a biopsy of your lung, to look at the pleura (the lining of the outside of your lung), to remove fluid that can collect in the space between the lung and chest wall, to remove a nodule, or to remove part of the lung.
The surgeon will make a minimum of three small incisions on the side of your chest between the ribs. A scope is used to see inside of your chest. The surgeon is able to insert the surgical tools through the other two incisions, and perform the necessary procedure this way.
This operation is performed under general anesthesia and requires a stay in the hospital. You will need to have pre-operative testing.
After the surgery you will have a drain, called a chest tube, placed in your chest. The tube helps to drain blood, fluid, and air from around the lung. It is put in the chest cavity through the skin, and is attached to a collection system. This tube will usually remain in for about a day or two after surgery. Sometimes it will have to stay in longer as necessary. Once the tube is removed, most people are able to go home that day or the following day.
Please click here for pre-operative instructions, "Preparing for Lung Surgery."
Please click here for post-operative instructions, "Do's and Don'ts After Surgery."