Book an Appointment
Emergency: 022-61305005
I want to find
My Health Records
Management Team

Thoracoscopy/Pleuroscopy

Overview

Thoracoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows access to the pleural space (space between chest wall and lungs), using a combination of viewing and working instruments. It has become the second most important endoscopic procedure in respiratory medicine after bronchoscopy.

  1. Rigid Pleuroscope
  2. Semi-rigid Pleuroscope (similar to video bronchoscope)

  • Work-up and diagnosis of indeterminate pleural fluid (effusion)
  • Staging of lung cancer
  • Site-directed biopsy of parietal pleura
  • Staging of mesothelioma (pleural malignancy)

Absolute: Lack of pleural space

  • Refractory cough
  • Severe hypoxemia (low O2 saturation)
  • Coagulopathy including low platelet counts
  • Unstable comorbidities or hemodynamic status
  • Pulmonary arterial hypertension

  • Bleeding after a parietal pleura biopsy
  • Lung perforation and air leak
  • Infection in the pleural space

  • Fasting is required for 6‒8 hours
  • Stop blood thinners 3‒5 days before the procedure (after confirmation from the doctor)
  • Patient has to be admitted to the hospital for 3‒5 days
Bottom to top