Video Assisted Laser Surgery (VATS) in Pediatric Thoracoscopy

Laser thoracoscopy has proven to be a safe and effective technique for operating on every kind of intrathoracic diseases in childhood, arising from the lungs, mediastinum, pericardium and pleura. Video assisted thoracoscopy combined with laser (laser-VATS) makes it possible to treat children suffering from difficult congenital and acquired disorders. We want to report our experience with laser-VATS in 92 children whose age ranged from one day to fourteen years. Most of these cases were congenital malformations: 16 cysts, 5 CCAM, 15 lymphangiomas and hemangiomas, 6 bronch. fistulas, 6 tumors, 5 chylothorax, 4 thymectomies and 2 pericardectomies. The advantages of laser VATS are reduced blood loss and an uncomplicated postoperative course without death. In four cases conversion to conventional thoracotomy was necessary and in six recurrencies a second thoracoscopy was performed. No further complications occurred. Therefore we would like to recommend thoracoscopic laser application in childhood.