Application of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery on diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion

Objective To explore the value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) on diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion.Methods Retrospective analysis of 57 cases of pleural effusion by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were performed from July 2009 to April 2011.We used double-lumen endotracheal intubation to be general anesthesia,ablated the lung tissue and chest wall and stripped the fiberboard or fiber membrane.Intraoperative biopsies were taken to send quick frozen section.About the malignant pleural effusion cases,we usually used electric hook to burn lesions,sprayed talc in the thoracic cavity or did pleural decortication with thoracoscope.Results Diagnosis of 57 cases with pleural effusion is clear after VATS.They contained 26 cases of malignant pleural effusion,7 cases of pleural tuberculosis,21 cases of acute or chronic inflammation,1 case of nephrotic syndrome with pleural effusion,1 case of Sjogren's syndrome with pleural effusion and 1 case of bilateral chylothorax.There are 28 cases used Lung fiber membrane or fiber stripping,26 cases used Electric hook burning lesions,talc spraying,pleurodesis and 21 cases with simply spray talc pleurodesis.Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is a safe and effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion.