Clinical evaluation of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the case of severe thoracic emergency

Objective To study the clinical application and indication of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the case of severe thoracic emergency. Method We reviewed the clinical characteristics of 32 patients who received emergent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery,which included the cause of the emergency, surgical indications and operation methods. Result Among the 32 patients, 2 patients received lobectomy; 2 patients underwent wedge resection of lung; 4 patients received lung laceration suturing hemostasis; 8 patients received intercostals vessel hemostasis; 1 patient underwent both foreign body removal and diaphragm repair; 1 patient received internal mammary artery hemostasis; 12 patients received adhesion hemostasis including 10 cases of resecting the pulmonary bulla and 2 patients with severe mediastinal infection received mediastinal drainage. The mean operation time was(118.7±19.13)minutes.There were no perioperative deaths and thoracic morbidities in this group.The mean time to extubation was(3.2±0.5)days.The mean post-operative hospital stay was(8.6±3.32)days. Follow-up showed that the patients had good quality of life. Conclusion Clinical application of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the case of severe thoracic emergency is safe and effective.