Thoracoscopy

This is a procedure where a medical practitioner looks at the space inside of the chest, right outside the lungs. The procedure is done through a thoracoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube that has a light as well as a small video camera on the end. The tube is put through a small incision that is made near the lower end of the shoulder blade, between the ribs. This procedure is sometimes done as a part of video assisted thoracic surgery. The reason why this test is done is to ascertain the lung problems, particularly breathing trouble or coughing-up blood.

The procedure is also done to take care of small lung cancers by removing just the part of the lung that has a tumour in it. There can be instances where thoracoscopy is done so as to treat esophageal and thymus gland cancers. Notably, thoracoscopy can also be done in order to remove excess fluid that is present around the lungs, causing breathing trouble. The fluid can then be sent to the laboratory to detect if there is any kind of cancer or infection present. In a scenario where the fluid around the lungs builds up again even though it has been taken out once, medicine can be put into the cavity of the chest through a thoracoscope and thereby help stop the fluid from accumulating again.

Most importantly, before the procedure is conducted, it is extremely pivotal to inform the doctor about any medicine that is being taken by the patient regularly. This may include any supplements or herbs, as well as other medicines. It is also advisable to discuss in advance any allergic reaction one may have to any kind of medication.